Well,
it’s September and school is back in session again. Drivers should redouble
their efforts to drive more safely. You don’t want the death of some child on
your conscience for the rest of your life. That would be a terrible burden.

Unfortunately,
many drivers are not staying focused on driving. They are putting their
attention elsewhere. The results are often tragic.

One
out of six drivers is not paying attention. They are busy talking, texting, or
taking another bite. Add to those distractions: smoking, drinking, reaching
behind, grooming, playing with the sound system, reading, and grooming.

EMPLOYERS NOTE: When you choose driver improvement programs, you protect your
profitability by protecting your employees and other drivers on the road. Join
the thousands of corporate and government employees who have successfully used
safe driving programs over the years. The defensive driving courses help
keep employees safe on the roads, while reducing employer liability costs. If
doubt the liability issue, call your lawyer.

The
media is everywhere. Imagine a TV news story showing your company vehicle
causing or being involved in a grizzly accident. Now imagine that the reporter
has discovered that your company has NO DRIVING SAFETY PROGRAM for employees.
Then the story goes national. The negative effect of that kind of exposure can
be incredible.

Don’t
just tell your employees about safe driving, TEACH THEM. The payback is very
good. The alternative is frightening.

Driving is a skill that requires your full
attention to safely control your vehicle and respond to events happening on the
roads around you. Driving involves constant and complex coordination between
your mind and body. Events or things that prevent you from operating your car
safely are distractions. There are three types of distractions and they are
anything that takes your:

eyes off the road (visual).

mind off the road (cognitive).

hands off the steering wheel (manual).

When you think about the actions you make in your
vehicle, other than just driving, you can see that they often involve more than
one type of distraction. For instance, if you change your radio station, you
take a hand off the steering wheel to press a button, and take your eyes off
the road to look at what button you want to press.

Driving Distractions Study

Driver distractions are the leading cause of most
vehicle crashes and near-crashes. According to a study released by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech
Transportation Institute (VTTI), 80% of crashes and 65% of near-crashes involve
some form of driver distraction. The distraction occurred within three seconds
before the vehicle crash!

According to the NHTSA and VTTI study, the
principal actions that cause distracted driving and lead to vehicle crashes
are:

cell phone use.

reaching for a moving object inside the vehicle.

looking at an object or event outside of the
vehicle.

reading.

applying makeup.

Drivers who engage more frequently in distracted
driving are more likely to be involved in a vehicle crash or near-crash.

“Dial D” for Disaster

Cell phone use has become so popular these days
that many times we don’t realize when, where, and how often we are utilizing
our “cellular telephones.” Cell phone use while driving has increased so
significantly within the last few years that at any typical daytime moment, as
many as 10% of drivers are using either a hand-held or hands-free phone.

Studies have shown that driving performance is
lowered and the level of distraction is higher for drivers who are heavily
engaged in cell phone conversations. The use of a hands-free device does not
lower distraction levels. The percentage of vehicle crashes and near-crashes
attributed to dialing is nearly identical to the number associated with talking
or listening.

Make and finish your cell phone calls before you
start your vehicle and drive. If your phone rings while you are driving, let
your voicemail pick up the call. If you must answer your phone, pull over to a
safe location and park before using your cell phone.

New cell phone laws took effect July 1, 2008 in California. Drivers age
18 and over may use hands-free devices while driving. Drivers under the age of
18 may not use any type of hand-held or hands-free wireless phone while
driving.

Are You Eating a Crash Diet?

If you are eating in your vehicle while driving,
you are focusing on your food and not on your driving. You are not only chewing
and swallowing; you are also opening packages, unwrapping and re-wrapping food,
reaching, leaning, spilling, wiping, and cleaning yourself or your vehicle.
These are quite a number of distractions for one driver on one trip. You are
safer when you stop to eat or drink. Allow yourself plenty of time to stop,
rest from driving, and enjoy your meal.

Are You Being Driven to Distraction?

What do children, friends, and pets all have in
common? All can be a dangerous distraction to you while you are driving.

Teach your young children that driving is an
important job and that you must concentrate when you are behind the wheel.
Buckle up your children properly. Give them distractions—books, games, or other
appropriate toys to occupy their time. If you need to attend to your children,
pull over to a safe place. Don’t try to handle children while you are driving.

When you are driving with friends and relatives,
establish some strategies to keep your passengers under control. A carload of
friends can be very distracting with loud talking, quarrelling over music
selections, or horseplay. Arguments and other disturbing conversations should
be held in a safe, appropriate place, not while you are driving in your
vehicle.

A loose pet in a moving vehicle can be very dangerous.
Properly secure your pet in a pet carrier, portable kennel, or specially
designed pet harness when you are driving. Never allow your pet to sit in your
lap while you are driving your vehicle.

Turning Dials Can Turn Your Head

Making destination entries on an in-vehicle
navigation system, radio surfing for a good song, or adjusting your vehicle’s
climate controls are distracting activities that can put you in danger of a
vehicle crash or near-crash. The availability of in-vehicle Internet and e-mail
access from cell phones, blackberries, and other portable devices are added
distractions that increase your risk of a crash if you engage in these
activities while driving.

Looking out your window at what you are passing
while you are driving can be a distraction if you are concentrating on getting
a good look at:

an accident

a vehicle pulled over by law enforcement

construction work

a billboard advertisement

a scenic view

street names and addresses

Always focus on your driving. It’s crucial that you
remain alert while on the road to arrive at your destination safely.

Distractions and Young

The leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds are
vehicle crashes. Vehicle crashes make up approximately one-third of all deaths
for this age group. More crashes occur when passengers, usually other teens,
are in the vehicle with a teen driver. Two out of three teens die as passengers
in a vehicle driven by another teen.

These statistics are caused by a teenager’s
immaturity, driving inexperience, overconfidence, and risk-taking behaviors.
Before your teen takes to the road, explain to him/her the dangers of
participating in distracting activities and driving. Many teens do not see the
connection between the things that distract them and their age group’s high
rate of vehicle crashes and death.

Give your teen strategies and rules to help them
keep their passengers under control. No horseplay, inciting the driver to speed
or engaging in any other type of dangerous activity while riding in a vehicle.

Instruct your teen to set up his/her in-vehicle
radio, CD player, IPOD or any other in-vehicle music playing device before
driving and to play the music at a listening level that is not distracting.
Wearing headphones or earplugs is illegal in California regardless of the age of a
driver.

Talk with your teen about how to deal with driving
distractions. Discuss what could happen if he/she tries to answer a cell phone,
send a text message, search for music, or spill a drink on themselves while
they are driving. Explain the importance of driving safely and staying alive.

Other Deadly Distractions

In this age of multi-tasking, it is common to do
more than one task at the same time. You already multi-task when you are
driving; your mind and body are working simultaneously to drive your vehicle.
You should not add another task on top of what you already need to do to drive
safely. These tasks should never be done while you are driving:

Reading a newspaper, a book, or a map.

Personal grooming, such as hair grooming, shaving,
or applying makeup.

Smoking and dealing with lighting up, putting out
cigarettes, or falling ashes.

Working in your car: typing on a laptop, making
business calls, and writing notes or reports.

Undistracted Driving

When you are driving, the condition of the roadway
you are on and the behavior of other drivers can change abruptly, leaving you
little or no time to react. When you are driving, follow these rules:

Stay focused.

Pay attention.

Expect the unexpected.

These tips can help you continue to drive and
arrive at your destination safely:

Follow the advice in this brochure

Ensure all passengers are buckled-up properly.

Be well-rested and in the appropriate mindset to
drive. Driving while you are upset or angry can be just as dangerous as driving
when you are tired.

Help your teen identify and reduce distractions
when he/she is driving.

Do not tailgate.

Allow sufficient time to reach your destination.

Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained.

Driver distractions reduce your awareness to your
driving environment, your decision-making process and your driving performance.
This results in crashes or near-crashes and corrective actions having to be taken
by you and/or other drivers on the road.

Drive safe and stay alive. Keep your mind on your
driving, keep your eyes on the road, and your hands on the wheel!

Mark Stevens is a multitasking maniac. A couple of months ago, the
White Plains, New York, marketing consultant was working his cell phone with
one hand and his Blackberry with the other while trying to steer his Mercedes
SL500 with his wrists and knees — when he plowed it into a rental vehicle
in an Enterprise parking lot. That followed his fourth ticket in four years for
talking on his cell phone while driving.

"If you are a determined multitasker, it's an addiction — and you can't
stop it," said the 59-year-old Stevens.

Talk about distracted driving. Even during a short trek, he said, he's likely
to sip a Diet Coke and a bottled water, eat a sandwich, read a copy of The
Economist, write notes to himself and listen to NPR, in addition to
performing his cell phone and Blackberry action — oh, and driving.
"I'm a driven person, and that's why I do all this stuff while I drive."
Efficiency, not safe driving, is primary.

Although he may represent an extreme, there's a little bit of Stevens in many
of us. Multitasking while driving has become endemic — and epidemic — on
American roads. More drivers are trying to figure out what other duties they
can perform while driving. Insurance companies, meanwhile, are trying to make
drivers keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. And
automakers are caught between consumer demands for more capabilities and
conveniences — and the safety and legal concerns that often compel vehicle
designers to make multitasking more difficult.

The growing number of cultural references to multitasking resonates with all of
us. They include the TV ad depicting a group of business colleagues moving all
their office functions into a car and the Allstate Insurance commercial in
which spokesman Dennis Haysbert tsk-tsks viewers about multitasking.

The reasons for multitasking are many. Ever-longer commutes are tempting
time-starved Americans to invent ways to spread more tasks over the hours they
must spend in their vehicles. Also blame cell phones, video entertainment
systems and iPods. Throw in the fact that many drivers apparently don't care
that they might be annoying — or even alarming — other drivers by applying
mascara, drinking hot coffee, reading a pulp novel or selecting station XM 132
all at the same time.

A recent survey by Nationwide Insurance quantified some of the trend's scary
dimensions. More than 80 percent of drivers surveyed identified themselves as
multitaskers. Sixty-eight percent eat while driving; texting or
instant-messaging while driving, or fixing hair, is practiced by 19 percent of
drivers; 14 percent comfort or discipline children while behind the wheel; and
8 percent drive with a pet in their laps.

Weather conditions had little effect on drivers' tendency to multitask. Even
those who perceive themselves as safe drivers admitted doing outlandish things
behind the wheel, including changing clothes, balancing a checkbook and
shaving.

And multitasking is going to increase before it wanes. About 35 percent of Gen
Y-ers say they always multitask, compared with 30 percent of Gen X-ers and just
21 percent of baby boomers. Those differences are amplified in important
behaviors such as fiddling with a cell phone while driving: 37 percent of Gen
Y-ers admit doing it versus just 17 percent of Gen X-ers and only 2 percent of
boomers. About 89 percent of teenagers reported seeing other teens on their
cell phones at least sometimes while driving, reports a recent State Farm
Insurance survey.

The problem for drivers and insurance companies is that drivers are just bad at
multitasking successfully. About 80 percent of all crashes are related to some
form of distracted driving, according to the U.S. government.

"Driver behavior is only getting worse," said Bill Windsor, associate
vice president of safety for Columbus-based Nationwide Insurance. "Car
design and safety features have helped reduce fatalities over the last 10
years, but there are signs — such as an increase in fatalities among
pedestrians and motorcyclists — that problems with driving behavior are
starting to outstrip vehicle and roadway improvements."

Governments, insurance companies and other players can mitigate the problem to
some extent. Four states and the District
of Columbia already outlaw the use of handheld phones
while driving, and at least 38 states currently are debating bills that would
specifically regulate text messaging while behind the wheel, according to the
National Conference of State Legislatures. Highway designers are trying to add more
rumble strips on highway shoulders to startle those who've strayed to the side,
and creating greater numbers of safe rest spots along the nation's roads.

But a large part of the responsibility and opportunity for dealing with
multitasking rests with automakers themselves. The scope of their dilemma is
perfectly underscored by the fact that an alliance of General Motors, Toyota, Nissan and Ford
spent $6 million over the last four years to study driver distraction and
develop solutions. Their conclusion was that drivers can safely withstand just
about any amount of aural distraction in a vehicle as long as they keep their
vision on the road in front of them.

"It was a lot of expensive research just to validate the idea that you
should keep your eyes on the road," admits Rich Deering, GM's senior
manager of crash-avoidance system development. "But this is an issue that
won't go away."

The auto industry is pulled in two directions. As quality and other differences
among vehicle brands have dwindled over the last generation, car companies have
turned to comfort and convenience features in their battle for market share. In
the process, they have converted many of their vehicles into rolling living
rooms and offices. Passengers are invited to watch movies, thanks to rear-seat
entertainment systems; work on their laptops, courtesy of ample power outlets
(including 110-volt connections) throughout the vehicle; and use OnStar to tap
into sports scores and stock-price quotes on the Internet.

Vehicle designers even encourage drivers to engage in more multitasking by, for
example, increasing the capabilities of audio systems, providing devices and
slots to facilitate mobile-phone usage, and cramming every square inch around
the driver with drink holders, trays and even laptop compartments.

It's hard to keep drivers away from all those distracting goodies that,
nominally at least, are meant only for passengers to enjoy.

"We need to provide reasonable accommodations for a wide variety of
activities that people want to do in their cars," said Andrew Coetzee,
vice president of product planning for Toyota Motor Sales, USA. "We
do have responsibilities to meet the needs of customers. It's up to customers
to use them at their discretion."

Yet automakers have taken measures to limit multitasking by drivers — or at
least make it safer — in specific areas:

Navigation systems
The industry's unspoken agreement bans navigation screens that require drivers
to lower their heads more than 30 degrees from a straight-ahead position. Also,
many automakers won't allow front-seat occupants to enter destination addresses
manually while the vehicle is in motion.

Meanwhile, they're all working on improving voice-recognition technology so
drivers won't have to touch navigation screens at all. Based on several years
of experience with its OnStar system — which relies on a customer-service
person to give drivers oral directions — GM is convinced that voice interaction
largely takes the danger out of navigation systems. "We're just not seeing
a crash problem there because, with OnStar, drivers can keep their eyes on the
road," Deering said.

Bluetooth
Despite some states' laws to the contrary, drivers aren't going to stop using
cell phones while driving. So automakers are doing their best to make it as
safe as possible. Installing hands-free technologies such as Bluetooth across
their entire lineups is a major focus. "There's a social responsibility we
feel in developing a system like that," said Coetzee. "It's taking a
more reasonable approach than just saying, 'Don't use a cell phone when you
drive.'"

Audio systems
Automakers are pushing to integrate vehicle sound systems on digital platforms
and to create easy interfaces with MP3 players so there is a central,
convenient source of control on the dash — instead of the makeshift assemblages
of iPod cradles, extenders, power-port plug-ins and other devices that many
drivers now use. Most vehicles already are available with
steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.

Fold-down front seats
Many vehicles now offer fold-down front passenger seats with flat backs that
drivers can use as makeshift desks, as well as110-volt power ports to power
their laptops.

Food and beverage handling
This is an area that exemplifies how automakers can enhance the multitasking
experience without making it more distracting or dangerous — the ultimate
win-win tactic. Chrysler, for example, figures that as long as you're going to
demand drink holders, they might as well help you maintain the beverage
temperature you want. So in the Chrysler
Sebring and Dodge Avenger
sedans, there's a cupholder option that allows drivers to keep drinks warm or
cool. Other manufacturers have expanded the number, sizes and locations of
their front-seat cupholders to put beverages within easier reach. Even the tiny
Mazda Miata
now has door-mounted cupholders capable of holding a regular-size Starbucks
coffee.

Chrysler, for one, has drawn the line at installing food trays up front.
"We actually looked at a compartment that would hold a fast-food hamburger
or other sandwich," said Ralph Gilles, a product vice president for
Chrysler's Jeep unit. "But that was the point where we were inviting a
little more activity than we really want from the driver. And what could you
add for food beyond that?"

Because there's no sign whatsoever that Americans are going to multitask less,
auto designers are going to have more and more such internal discussions —
leading to increasingly difficult decisions.

"You could say we're only helping the dysfunctionality of America with
some of the things we do in vehicles now," Gilles said. "But it's the
reality of the marketplace."

Drivers
who are doing other tasks are more likely to have an accident. Inattentive
drivers contribute to at least 25% of accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
This equates to 1.2 million accidents each year caused by distracted drivers.
The American
Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that 1.5% of distracted driver
accidents were attributable to cell phone use (compared to 10.8% caused by
other occupants causing a distraction; 11.4% to adjusting the music). A driver
who inserts a music CD increases the likelihood of an accident by six times as compared to glancing at
the fuel gauge. So if cell phone use causes fewer accidents than fiddling with
the radio, why are cell phones getting much of the blame? For one thing, it's a
distraction that is easier for other drivers to spot. It's easy to blame
another driver if he or she is on a cell phone. And cell phone use is becoming
more and more common; it's a visible distraction.

Surveys
indicate that half of all drivers use their cell phones while driving. A 1997
study in Toronto, Canada, found that using a cell phone while driving increased
the risk of a collision by four times
during the "brief period of a call." And these drivers are not just a
threat to themselves -- they are a threat to everyone's safety. Two states (New York and New Jersey
in 2001) and Washington, DC (in 2004) so far have banned cell phone
use for drivers.

What
mistakes are made by drivers using cell phones? A 2002 study conducted by the
University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center found that cell
phone users were twice as likely to be involved in a rear-end collision (45.1%
vs. 25.6%). The most common causes of the accidents were:

failure
to reduce speed (33.5%)

traffic
signal violation (9.6%)

speeding
(4.9%)

following
too closely (3.5%)

failure
to yield (3.5%)

The
cell phone industry has added features such as hands-free adapters for cell
phones to improve their safety for use by drivers. There are no data to show
that hands-free use is safer. With or without the hands-free device, cell phone
use decreases reaction time. It's the conversation that is distracting, not the phone itself.
Studies have shown that the emotional content of phone calls influences how a
driver drives: while talking, the driver scans the road and used the rear-view
mirror less frequently. This results in narrowing of the driver's field of
vision, even though eyesight is not directly affected by a phone call.

The
bottom line is that there is no way to make cell phone use 100% safe for
drivers; the very action of talking diverts attention from the road. So keep
your eyes and mind on the road and devote 100% of your attention to
driving.

Did You Know?

Distracted
drivers cause 4,000 - 8,000 accidents each day in the US (Source:
AAA).

Driving
is the most dangerous thing workers do on the job (Source: US Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention).

At
any moment, 500,000 drivers in the US are talking on cell phones
(Source: NHTSA).

A
2003 Harvard
study estimated that cellphone distractions caused 2,600 traffic deaths every
year, and 330,000 accidents that result in moderate or severe injuries.

Yet
Americans have largely ignored that research. Instead, they increasingly use
phones, navigation devices and even laptops to turn their cars into mobile
offices, chat rooms and entertainment centers, making roads more dangerous.

A
disconnect between perception and reality worsens the problem. New studies show
that drivers overestimate their own ability to safely multitask, even as they
worry about the dangers of others doing it.

Device
makers and auto companies acknowledge the risks of multitasking behind the
wheel, but they aggressively develop and market gadgets that cause
distractions.

Police
in almost half of all states make no attempt to gather data on the problem.
They are not required to ask drivers who cause accidents whether they were
distracted by a phone or other device. Even when officers do ask, some drivers
are not forthcoming.

The
federal government warns against talking on a cellphone while driving, but no
state legislature has banned it. This year, state legislators introduced about
170 bills to address distracted driving, but passed fewer than 10.

Five
states and the District of Columbia
require drivers who talk on cellphones to use hands-free devices, but research
shows that using headsets can be as dangerous as holding a phone because the
conversation distracts drivers from focusing on the road.

Fourteen
states have passed measures to ban texting while driving, and the New York
State Assembly sent such a bill to the governor on Friday.

The
states that rejected any efforts to limit distracted driving this year include Oklahoma.

“I’m
on the phone from when I leave the Capitol to when I get home, and that’s a
two-hour drive,” said Tad Jones, the majority floor leader in the Oklahoma
House, who helped block the legislation. “A lot of people who travel are used
to using the phone.”

Scientists
who study distracted driving say they understand the frustrations of colleagues
who publicized the dangers of tobacco. Like cigarettes, they say, gadgets are
considered cool but can be deadly. And the big device companies even offer
warnings that remind them of labels on cigarette packs.

Verizon
Wireless, for instance, posts
instructions on its Web sites not to talk while driving — with or
without a headset. But neither Verizon nor any other cellphone company supports
legislation that bans drivers from talking on the phone. And the wireless
industry does not conduct research on the dangers, saying that is not its
responsibility.

Some
researchers say that sufficient evidence exists to justify laws outlawing
cellphone use for drivers — and they suggest using technology to enforce them
by disabling a driver’s phone. “Just outlawing the behavior cannot possibly go
very far toward getting people not to do it,” said Robert
D. Foss, senior research scientist at the HighwaySafetyResearchCenter at the University of North Carolina. “The behavior is
too ingrained and compelling.”

For
his part, Mr. Hill rarely talks when he drives now. His mother gave him a
hands-free headset two months after the accident. She thought it would create
less distraction. He tried it once, and found his mind wandering into his phone
call so much that “I nearly missed a light,” he said.

A
new On Your Side®
Survey by Nationwide verifies with concrete data the general assumption that
there is strong public support for legislation to restrict cell phone usage
while driving.

The
results of the new survey show there are varying degrees of support for
different types of restrictions.

8
in 10 drivers support some type of cell phone usage restriction.

The
majority of respondents say they are supportive of laws restricting any type of
cell phone use while driving.

80
percent respondents support a ban on text messaging while driving.

80
percent of respondents support a ban on e-mailing while driving.

Two
thirds (67 percent) of respondents say they are supportive of laws restricting
phone calls while driving.

Of
those who supported enacting some type of cell phone usage restriction, nearly
3 in 4 believed the law should apply to all drivers, not just specific
groups.

Education

Survey
respondents perceive a growth in distracted driving behavior on the roads,
underscoring the ongoing need for increased public education to raise awareness
of the dangers caused by distracted drivers.

More
than half of respondents say they see more drivers using cell phones while
driving than they did 12 months ago.

Nearly
three-quarters of respondents said that when they drive, they always or often
see other drivers using cell phones.

Technology

The
survey results also bolster Nationwide’s position that legislation alone will
not eliminate distracted driving. The development of technology that prevents
cell phone usage in moving vehicles must be part of the solution to address the
driving habits of survey respondents who indicated that a new law would not
change their personal driving habits, including those who plan to resist
changes in the law and those who are in denial about their current bad habits.

Survey
data suggests that some drivers may now be in denial about their
personal DWD problem. Others may simply prefer not to admit that they DWD
because they are aware of its inherent dangers.

Nearly
half (49%) of drivers said a law restricting use of cell phones would not
change their behavior because they don’t currently use cell phones while
driving.

Survey
data also suggests that some drivers may resist a change in the law.

In
the new survey, only 41 percent of respondents said their behavior would change
if cell phone usage were restricted by law.

9
percent of respondents said they would continue to use a cell phone regardless
of a change in the law, with Generation Y most likely to resist the change (13
percent).

The
2008 survey found that only 63% of drivers planned to abide by laws prohibiting
cell phone usage.

Experts
agree that the success of DWD legislation will rely on our ability to enforce
new laws, which has been a challenge. Historically, communities with new DWD bans
have experienced an initial dip in behavior, followed by a rebound when the
public begins to perceive that the law has not been enforced effectively.

McLEAN, VA --- The
Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) is sponsoring Drive Safely Work
Week during Oct. 5-9. The national traffic safety campaign will focus on
educating employees about safe driving, whether they drive for work or just to
and from work.

BLACKSBURG, VA -
Truck and heavy-vehicle drivers who text-message while driving are 23.2 times
more likely to be involved in a crash or near-crash as non-distracted
motorists, according to new research conducted by the Virginia Tech
Transportation Institute.

BOSTON --- After a trolley driver admitted to police that he was texting his
girlfriend just before a May 8 collision, the head of the Boston area transit authority vowed to ban
all train and bus operators from even carrying cell phones on board.

ITASCA, IL --- A
new study reported in the National Safety Council's Journal of Safety Research
suggests drivers tend to overestimate their driving skills and underestimate
their distraction caused by other activities while they drive.

DEARBORN, MI--- A new study by Ford shows that the automaker's
SYNC hands-free system significantly reduces the level of distraction when
drivers select a phone number or choose a song on their MP3 player, compared
with the same operations with hand-held cell phones and music players, the
company said.

WASHINGTON- A new
report claims the U.S.
withheld important information about distracted drivers. A consumer advocate
group says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shelved a 2002
study about the dangers of using cell phones on the road.

Researchers say drivers distracted by cell phones caused nearly
1,000 fatalities and 240,000 accidents nationwide in 2002. Researchers found
that driving while talking on your cell phone can increase the risk of an
accident by three or four times. Consumer groups say releasing the information,
years ago, could have saved lives.

Two consumer groups, Center for Auto Safety and Public Citizen,
say the government kept the information private and misled the public in
believing that driving hands-free is safe.

"The idea that the federal government can withhold important
safety data and its research on public safety is really disasterous," said
Margaret Kwoka, an attorney for Public Citizen.

The consumer groups filed a lawsuit to have the information
released, claiming there were political reasons why the NHTSA withheld the 2002
findings. Reasons included pressure from the wireless industry, which has spent
$35 million lobbying Congress, and pressure from lawmakers. Back in 2002, many
states were just starting to create distracted driving laws. Some people in
Congress warned the highway traffic agency not to lobby states over the safety
issue or risk billions of dollars in funding.

The Department of Transportation says it is deeply concerned that
drivers are taking their focus off the road to send text messages or use their
cell phone. The government estimates one in 10 drivers talks on a cell
phone. Most researchers say it is the conversation, not holding a phone, which
has motorists distracted. Consumer groups are pushing for lawmakers to ban
drivers' phone use all together. Researchers say driver distraction contributes
to about 25 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes in 2002. The newly
released data says the risk of talking while behind the wheel is almost equal
to drunk driving.

Right now, the state of Maryland
prohibits people under the age of 18 from using a cell-phone while driving that
includes hands free devices. Starting in October, all Maryland drivers will be banned from
writing, reading or sending text messages while operating a motor vehicle.

The
National Safety Council was the first national association to offer driving
improvement programs. More than 70 years and 60 million students later,
we still set the standard for driver training! National Safety Council
Defensive Driving Courses have a consistently higher rate of success in
reducing the number and severity of crashes than other driver improvement
providers. When you choose our driver improvement programs, you protect your
profitability by protecting your employees and other drivers on the road. Join
the thousands of corporate and government employees who have successfully used
our programs over the years. Our defensive driving courses help keep
employees safe on the roads, while reducing employer liability costs. National
Safety Council Defensive Driving Courses are regularly held throughout North Carolina by the
Safety and Health Council of North Carolina and other training sub-agencies.

As
kids head back to school, Safe Kids’ new study“Characteristics
of Distracted Drivers in School Zones: A National Report”
reveals a scary truth: One out of every
six drivers in school zones is distracted. With cell phones,
email and text messaging being added to the list of more traditional
distractions like eating and grooming, there are more ways than ever for
drivers to become distracted – and potentially dangerous to children as they
walk to and from school.

About
10 percent of drivers were caught using hand-held electronics—such as cell
phones, PDAs, and Smartphones. These devices were the leading cause of
distraction. And while laws on using electronics while driving are still being
hotly debated, this research shows that simply having a law on the books could
help reduce distracted driving. States
that have laws are 13 percent less likely to have distracted drivers in school
zones.

The
Danger of Distracted Driving Recent studies have measured the driving skills of
distracted drivers showing they perform as bad or worse than drivers who are
drunk. This is frightening for anyone on the road, but it’s a particularly
dangerous situation when kids are added into the mix.

Common Traits of Distracted Driving

Seatbelt
use. Drivers that don’t wear a
seatbelt are 34 percent more likely to be distracted than drivers who are
buckled up. As a driver, if you engage in one risky behavior – you are more
likely to engage in multiple unsafe driving behaviors.

Time
of day. Afternoon drivers are 22
percent more likely to be distracted than morning drivers. Throughout the year,
one in three child pedestrian deaths occur between 3 and 7 p.m., making
afternoons the most dangerous time for children to walk.

Gender.
Female drivers are 21 percent more likely to
be distracted than male drivers. Moms today have a million things on their
to-do lists and too often women are multitasking behind the wheel. But that
doesn’t mean male drivers are off the hook—their rate of distraction was still
way too high.

Traffic
volume. People driving on roads
with a lot of traffic are 16 percent more likely to be distracted than those
driving on roads with less traffic.

Top
Tips from Safe Kids Walk This Way

Safe
Kids and FedEx have been working together for 10 years on the Walk This Way
program where we educate children about walking safely. We conduct programs in
more than 600 schools and have reached more than a million kids all across the United States.

Distractions
can take attention away from the driving task and place the driver at an
increased risk of crashing. For example, the average person under ideal
conditions takes about 1/4 of a second to identify a road hazard (such as
seeing a child dart out between two cars), 1/4 of a second for the brain
process the situation, and another 1/4 of a second to make a decision on how to
avoid the hazard.

If
a driver is traveling at 30 mph in a school zone, that processing time
translates to about 33 feet before the driver even reacts to the situation.
Once the driver identifies the hazard, they must react to it by applying the
brakes. This costs the driver an additional 3/4 of a second and another 33
feet. Finally, the vehicles itself takes about 3 seconds to engage the brakes,
bringing the vehicle to a complete stop in approximately 38 feet. Thus the
overall braking distance needed for an attentive driver on a dry road is
roughly 104 feet.

In
contrast, for each second the driver is distracted an additional 33 feet is
added to this number. Thus, if the driver is distracted with a three-second
task the moment a child steps out into the street, it would take them 203 feet
to completely stop the car.

The
cabling business is looking up, so Fluke Networks is running a special
promotion called “Reel Deal.” With Reel Deal customers get a cash rebate on the
DTX CableAnalyzer. The qualifying event is to purchase at least 30,000 feet of
Cat 5e/6/6a copper cable or 3,000 meters of Singlemode or Multimode fiber
between now and the end of the year. That is a cumulative, not a one-time
purchase.

Cable
and DTX purchases must be made between now and December 31, 2009. There is no
limit on the number of DTX CableAnalyzers that qualify. Details can be found at
www.flukenetworks.com/ReelDeal

*********************************

NAIOP Sustainable Development Award Honors ProLogis and Forest City Covington:
Projects to be honored at Development '09: The
Annual Meeting for Commercial Real Estate, August 25, 2009

HERNDON,
Va., August 25, 2009–
NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, the leading
organization for developers, owners and related professionals in office,
industrial and mixed-use real estate, today announced that it has selected two
development companies as the recipients of its annual Sustainable Development
Award.

ProLogis
is being honored for its industrial project, the S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.,
building in Sturtevant, Wis.;
and Forest City Covington is being recognized for its office building that houses
Fidelity Investments at Mesa del Sol in Albuquerque,
N.M.

The
award will be presented during a special ceremony on Thursday, October 15, at
NAIOP's Development '09: The Annual Meeting for Commercial Real Estate, in Chicago.

"These
projects symbolize the innovation, creativity and sustainable approach that our
members are utilizing to develop model properties," said NAIOP President
Thomas J. Bisacquino. "The Sustainable Development Award is one of many
ways that NAIOP exemplifies its commitment to sustainable development. NAIOP
and its member companies are strong proponents of energy efficiency and are
committed to continuing to couple increased efficiencies with the overall
prosperity of the industry."

The
structure is certified LEED-NC Gold� and promotes energy efficiency with incorporated
sustainable features through the following channels:

Use
of high-quality materials to reduce replacement and maintenance costs,
including a durable roof.

Installation
of energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems and other sustainable features that
are expected to achieve 38 percent greater energy efficiency than industry
standards, resulting in substantial energy cost reductions for S. C. Johnson.

Diversion
of more than 85 percent of construction debris from landfills and recycled for
future use. In addition, 42 percent of the content utilized for the completed
structure was recycled and more than 46 percent of construction materials were
manufactured within 500 miles of the project site.

Inclusion
of 60 clerestory windows, 42 vision panels in the dock doors and 22-foot glass
storefronts in the building's design that allow employees to use natural light
as a source of interior illumination.

Constructed
with a white, thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roof, which reduces the urban heat
island effect, minimizing the load on the building's cooling/heating system and
often providing a more comfortable work environment.

Geothermal
HVAC system was installed in the building's office area and has proven to be
very effective in saving energy costs and improving the internal air quality at
the facility.

"ProLogis
continues to demonstrate its commitment to being the leading global provider of
sustainable distribution facilities," said Jack Rizzo, chief
sustainability officer for ProLogis. "We are pleased to be recognized by
NAIOP for this project, which not only satisfies the needs of an important
customer, but it will play a key role in helping us reach our multi-year
sustainability goals. We'd like to thank our partners, which were an integral
part of this development's success: M.E. Group, Heitman Architects and FCL
Contractors LLC."

*********************************

LEED - Forest City Covington's Mesa del Sol to Incorporate Best Practices in Sustainable Urban Development

Mesa
del Sol is a mixed-use, master-planned community project in Albuquerque, N.M.
The project is being developed on once state-owned land by a public-private
partnership led by Forest City Covington, which is a joint venture between units
of Covington Capital and Forest City Enterprises. The Fidelity Investments
building is a two-story, 217,892 square foot office building that is targeted
to be the first LEED� Gold office building
within the development.

The
building includes the following sustainable features:

Use
of construction materials, including concrete and steel, that were selected
based on their post-industrial and post-consumer recycled content, reducing the
strain on energy resources. Additionally, 94 percent of all shell construction
waste material was recycled.

A
chilled water system with cooling towers for air conditioning.

Recessed
windows to provide shade from direct summer sun that feature insulated window
glazing to keep out heat in the summer and cold in the winter.

When
fully operational, the building is expected to use 28 percent less energy than
a typical building of similar size.

High-efficiency
fixtures throughout the entire building, resulting in a 30 percent savings in
water.

A
visitor parking lot created from pervious concrete, which allows rainwater to
seep into the ground, thereby recharging ground water and reducing stormwater
runoff.

"We
are extremely proud to have our efforts recognized by our peers at NAIOP,"
said Michael Daly, Mesa del Sol president. "This building showcases that
sustainability is not a buzz word or a fad, but a system to develop innovative
projects for our mixed-use, master-planned community.

Sustainability
and green living are basic core values for the Mesa del Sol community, as they
are for ForestCity. It is a commitment that has grown
with the company's adoption of the principals of sustainability into the
projects it develops and the properties it manages, balancing environmental
resources, economic objectives and social systems - the so-called triple bottom
line of people, planet and profit."

*********************************

2009 MARKS FIFTH ANNUAL AWARD FOR NAIOP

NAIOP established the Sustainable Development Award in 2005 to recognize the
growing number of firms engaged in green development. NAIOP and its member
companies are committed to developing model properties adhering to the highest
standards in the industry and believe that socially conscious development is
essential to the economic vitality of the industry.

Applicants
were judged on a number of criteria, including company commitment to
sustainability, site sustainability and materials use, innovation, water
efficiency, energy efficiency, economic viability, innovation and other
sustainable attributes. Entries for the award were reviewed by industry
leaders, including members of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Previous
recipients of the award include: (2005) Corporate Office Properties Trust for
its development at 318 Sentinel in Annapolis Junction, Md.; (2006) Hines for
their project at 1180 Peachtree in Atlanta, Ga.; (2007) the Georgetown Company,
New York, N.Y., for their speculative project, the Lazarus Building, and
Liberty Property Trust for the build-to-suit JohnsonDiversey project in
Milwaukee, Wis.; (2008) Aardex LLC of Golden, Colo., for its speculative
project, The Signature Centre, and Hamilton Partners its build-to-suit project,
HSBC-North America Headquarters, in Mettawa, Ill.

About
NAIOP:

NAIOP,
the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, is the leading organization
for developers, owners and related professionals in office, industrial and
mixed-use real estate. NAIOP comprises 15,000 members in North
America. NAIOP advances responsible commercial real estate
development and advocates for effective public policy. For more information,www.naiop.org.

Cranbury, NJ- - Megladon Mfg has made
another momentous step towards improving the quality and performance of Angle
Polished Connectors (APC). By utilizing the HLC termination process and
Interferometric equipment from Norland Products Inc., Megladon has drastically
increased their ability to make accurate and repeatable APC geometrical
measurements. Historically, interferometers have only been able to measure the
apex offset of APC connectors within +/-10um of accuracy. Due to the nature of
the “floating ferrule” and ferrule movement found in the SC APC connectors, it
has been difficult to get good reproducibility and accurate results when taking
these measurements. The fiber industry has to date not given the issue much
attention, but as our dependency on APC cables increases, it is necessary to
address how this issue can deteriorate performance. “APC connectors should
provide exceptional back reflection performance, but if the geometry is at the
edge of the specification, high bandwidth transmission will suffer,” says
Daniel Hogberg, Product Group Supervisor for Megladon Mfg. “It is necessary to
accurately measure APC connectors to ensure that cables are being manufactured
to the appropriate specification, and then to optimize performance.” Not all
interferometers have been able to “master the measurement” and establish a
solid point of reference. “At Norland Products, we have spent many hours
developing our CC6000 interferometric system to help us overcome this difficulty,”
says Neal Wagman, Sales Manager for Norland Products. “Our development has
enabled us measure the SC/APC connector quickly, accurately, and very
inexpensively.” Norland Product’s SC APC mount allows for exceptional control
in measuring SC APC connectors, and has allowed Megladon Mfg. to implement
tighter controls within its manufacturing process. The new process has enabled
measurements with +/-5um of accuracy, and helps Megladon continue setting new
standards in back reflection performance and building the best performing APC
connectors in the marketplace with ScratchGuard™ HLC technology .

Megladon
Manufacturing Group, Ltd., a subsidiary of TyRex Group Ltd. ®, is recognized as
a leader in the fiber optic marketplace. Founded in 1997, Megladon made it
their mission to provide customers with fiber optic products that far exceed
industry standards. As technology innovators, Megladon created the
ScratchGuard™ HLC (Hardened Lens Contact) termination, which has changed the
market and taken it to the next level.

Student
teams from OregonStateUniversity, The Pennsylvania State University,
and the University of Washington
will be competing for the top prize in the first Green Energy Challenge student
design competition. The three finalists will present their entries at the
annual convention of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) in Seattle, on Sept. 12.

The
finalists were selected following the first round of judging from seven entries
from NECA student chapters around the country. NECA and ELECTRI International –
The Foundation for Electrical Construction, Inc. sponsored the Green Energy
Challenge. A complete listing of project proposals will be available after the
winning project is announced in September.

The
Green Energy Challenge invited teams of students studying electrical
construction, engineering, design and management to conduct an energy audit of
a local K-12 school. Based on their findings, students developed customized
proposals for energy retrofits that would improve the schools' energy
efficiency. Teams also designed a new solar PV and/or wind energy system for
the facility.

“The judging
panel was overwhelming impressed with the quality of each submission,” said
Laura Capuco, Director of Operations, ELECTRI International. “For several
weeks, each judge reviewed and scored the submissions individually. The entire
jury met via conference call to discuss their individual evaluations and
determine the teams’ scores. Several of the proposals ended up being
ranked very close. There was definitely stiff competition.”

"It's
a very technically advanced program," said David Riley, faculty advisor
for the PennState student team. "The problems
aren't hypothetical, so the solutions that students developed couldn’t be
either. Ultimately, we hope the schools can use the student teams’ proposals to
start energy efficiency upgrades in their buildings.”

Each
participating team will receive a $500 prize recognizing their work from
Southern Contracting Company, San
Marcos, Calif.
Southern Contracting will also award each finalist team $1,000, and the grand
prize of $5,000 for the winning proposal. Southern Contracting is a long-time
supporter of the Foundation and a key contributor to the Foundation’s Talent
Initiative program to support students’ interest in a career in the electrical
construction industry.

“Southern
Contracting is especially pleased to be a part of the Green Energy Challenge
since so much our own business is now dealing with solar and renewable energy
projects,” said Tim McBride, President and CEO, Southern Contracting. “We hope
that students will be inspired to bring the same enthusiasm and creativity to
an electrical contracting company one day that they brought to this project.”

Student
teams also received financial support and technical guidance from their local
NECA chapters and member firms in preparing their submissions.

“The
Green Energy Challenge is a true hands-on learning opportunity for the next
generation of energy professionals,” said NECA CEO John M. Grau. “Students are
now following careers in construction because they see it as a way to make a
meaningful difference in their world. I’m pleased we can give them this
opportunity, and maybe help some local schools start saving on their own energy
costs.”

The
winning student proposal will be announced following the team presentations on
Sept. 12 in Seattle.
A catalog of all entries will be published online with the announcement.

NECA
is the voice of the $130 billion electrical construction industry that brings
power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across
the U.S. NECA’s national office and 119 local chapters advance the
industry through advocacy, education, research and standards development. For
more information, visit www.necanet.org.

ELECTRI
International – The Foundation for Electrical Construction, Inc. is the primary
research arm of the electrical construction industry. Foundation research helps
to improve the productivity, professionalism, and competitiveness of electrical
contractors. For more information, visit www.electri.org.

NECA,
together with the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and the
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA),
recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the buildingSMART alliance
(bSa) to establish needs and goals for the interoperability of building
information modeling (BIM) software.

The
alliance is a public/private initiative led by the National Institute of
Building Sciences (NIBS) to facilitate interoperability throughout the
construction industry. BIM refers to the digital tools that help contractors
build facilities virtually prior to building them physically.

NECA
members are using BIM technology to avoid potential placement problems of
electrical systems and accommodate possible future needs of a building before
construction ever begins.

“BIM
is revolutionizing how specialty contractors work together on building
projects, and it’s critical to see their needs reflected in technological and
software developments,” said Dan Walter, NECA COO/Vice President. Walter also
serves as president of the Association of Specialty Contractors. “Our
relationship with bSa will allow the electrical and mechanical construction
industries to realize the benefits of BIM processes by reducing software
compatibility problems and removing obstacles to getting the job done
efficiently.”

NECA
is the voice of the $130 billion electrical construction industry that brings
power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across
the U.S. NECA’s national office and local chapters advance the industry through
advocacy, education, research and standards development. For more information,
visit www.necanet.org.

Officer
and Overhead Personnel Compensation Report Now Available from NECA

Based
on an industry-wide survey of electrical contracting firms, the report is an
important tool for contractors to benchmark compensation and benefit levels.
Survey results offer comparisons within the industry as a whole and broken down
geographically and by sales volume.

The
2009 edition includes additional information on how the economy is affecting
employee benefits.

The
2009 report’s statistical data includes:

Annual
wages paid to overhead employees

Officer
compensation, including salaries, bonuses and dividends

Vacation
and sick leave policies

Fringe
benefit information

Pension
plan information

The
report also includes average sales dollar per electrical workers, sales dollar
return per labor dollar cost, average wages paid for electrical worker,
percentage labor cost of sales, and number of overhead personnel by function.

NECA
is the voice of the $130 billion electrical construction industry that brings
power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across
the U.S. NECA’s national office and 119 local chapters advance the
industry through advocacy, education, research and standards development. For
more information, visit www.necanet.org.

*********************************

BOMA INTERNATIONAL RELEASES PREPAREDNESS TOP TEN LIST FOR NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

Hurricane
Season and Return of H1N1 Call for Preparedness Best Practices

(WASHINGTON—August 27,
2009) September is National Preparedness Month and the Building Owners and
Managers Association (BOMA) International has released a list of ten proactive
steps property professionals can take to ensure their tenants, staff and
buildings are safe in an emergency or natural disaster. With hurricane season
in full swing and experts predicting an increase in cases of the H1N1 virus
this fall, now is the time to revisit preparedness plans. To help property professionals,
BOMA has compiled a preparedness best practices list.

“Preparedness
is essential for property professionals as they strive to protect tenants,
buildings and business operations against a variety of threats,” said BOMA
International Chair and Chief Elected Officer James A. Peck, RPA, FMA, senior
director of asset services, CB Richard Ellis. “A well thought out, regularly
reviewed and practiced emergency preparedness plan is the best defense we have
against any emergencies.”

An
effective preparedness plan includes an emergency response plan, a
communications strategy and a blueprint for business continuity. Here is a list
of tips to help property professionals start planning now:

Review
your plan.
Regularly go over your building’s emergency preparedness plan with your team to
ensure everyone is familiar with all aspects of emergency protocol.

Practice
makes perfect. Have your preparedness team take part in tabletop exercises, in which
team members walk through various emergency scenarios and propose responses to
“what if” questions.

Involve
your tenants.
Make certain all of your tenants are aware of the building evacuation
procedures and encourage them to participate in evacuation drills.

Communicate.
Develop a
multi-layered crisis communication plan that is fast and effective in reaching
tenants, local authorities and agencies, and the media.

Stay alert. Sign up for daily alerts to monitor weather conditions and
cases of pandemic influenza in your area.

Work with authorities. Review local evacuation procedures and identify
the agency that will issue evacuation orders.

Revisit
HR policies.
Determine how your company’s leave and salary policies will apply in emergency
situations, such as a pandemic flu outbreak, when a significant portion of your
workforce may be unable to come to work.

Operate
remotely.
Consider identifying off-site work facilities or telecommuting capabilities to
ensure business continuity in the event of a disaster.

Find the latest resources. For the
latest information and resources on H1N1, visit BOMA’s
Pandemic Flu Resources site. BOMA knows buildings. Visit the BOMA bookstore
to order these publications: The Property Professional’s Guide
to Emergency Preparedness; Are Your Tenants Safe? BOMA’s Guide to
Security and Emergency Planning; Pandemic Influenza: Are You Prepared?; and
When Disaster Strikes, What Really Matters?.

The
Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is an international
federation of more than 100 local associations and affiliated organizations.
Founded in 1907, its 18,000-plus members own or manage more than 9 billion
square feet of commercial properties. BOMA International’s mission is to
enhance the human, intellectual and physical assets of the commercial real
estate industry through advocacy, education, research, standards and
information. On the Web atwww.boma.org.

Hurricanes
AGAIN - a safety tip

"You should keep enough supplies in your home to meet the
needs of you and your family for at least three days. Build an emergency supply
kit to take with you in an evacuation. The basics to stock in your portable kit
include: water, food, battery-powered radio and flashlight with extra
batteries, first aid supplies, change of clothing, blanket or sleeping bag,
wrench or pliers, whistle, dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, trash
bags, map, a manual can opener for canned food and special items for infants,
elderly, the sick or people with disabilities. Keep these items in an easy to
carry container such as a covered trash container, a large backpack or a duffle
bag." Courtesy of Homeland Security Dept

IN REMEMBERANCE OF Sept. 11th, 2001

On
this day of tribute we would like to acknowledge the strength of will to not
only to survive, but to thrive and move forward after the events of 9/11. The
courage during and after of all people around the world show the ability to
forget our differences and work together to build a stronger and safer world
for our families.

We are thankful for the service and sacrifices by our men and women who defend
our Country in times of peace and in times of war. They stand for the freedom
that is so precious to all.

We now have the responsibility to carry on for those who are not with us today
and work towards a safer world for our future generations.

In
Remembrance of the Tragedy of 9-11
Dedicated to the men, women and children who lost their lives; those brave people
who gave their lives And the Heroes that responded to the emergency

Leviton
Named Manufacturer of the Year by TED MagazineElectrical Distribution Team Scoops Up Five
Awards for Excellence in Marketing

Melville, NY, August 18, 2009– Leviton Manufacturing Company was named Manufacturer of the Year by TED (The Electrical Distributor) Magazine
and was also the distinguished recipient of four other Best of the Best Awards
for the quality of its distributor marketing and support programs. Leviton
received all five awards during NAED’s (National Association of Electrical
Distributors) AdVenture Marketing Conference, just held in Chicago. The awards are presented annually by
TED Magazine to recognize the
best electrical marketing campaigns in the industry.

Leviton
received awards in the following categories: 1) Literature/Selling Toolsfor its boxed demo platform; 2) Public
Relations for an integrated publicity campaign on how
tamper-resistant receptacles help safeguard children from electrical hazards;
and 3) The Vizia +® Collection and Wireless
Sensor Product Launches.The Best Overall Manufacturer Award is the event’s highest
achievement award. It recognizes a single manufacturer and a single distributor
who represent the ultimate overall best in marketing excellence.

“This
recognition is extremely gratifying and signifies that our industry partners
truly value our marketing programs,” said William Fodor, Leviton’s ED Marketing
Director. “We are committed to ensuring our support materials are practical and
effective. In today’s economic climate these tools are more important than ever
to our distributor partners.”

Speaking
on the company’s launch kits, Best of the Best Award Judge Henry Bergson said,
“Leviton’s product launch kits are outstanding, easy to use, to the point,
attractive and complete, with all the info needed. They are what NAED and NEMRA
have been preaching about in our new product intro guidelines. I could take the
materials on a sales call and sell the product and/or educate my customers on
why they need this solution. Other entries came close but Leviton’s kits really
nailed it.”

TED Magazine stands as the
voice for North America’s top electrical distributors. Read widely by top
distribution companies in the industry and their key executives, TED is known for its insightful reporting
and treatment of tough industry issues that affect electrical distributors. For
more information contact Leviton Manufacturing or visit www.leviton.com.

LEXINGTON,
Kentucky, August 26, 2009 – Two topics that are important to those who manage
technology in higher education – “Managing and Financing the Converged
Environment” and “Mobility and Wireless‑Where Are We Going?” – will be
addressed in the dual-track Fall Seminar of ACUTA, the Association for
Information Communications Technology Professionals in Higher Education.

The
seminar is October 25 to 28 at the Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel in
Portland, Oregon. Its two concurrent tracks will feature presentations by
representatives of large and small colleges and universities from all over the
country. Representing schools such as
Stanford, Columbia, Penn State, University of Pennsylvania, Texas A&M, LSU,
University of Florida, Abilene Christian University, Florida State, Loyola
Chicago, Sewanee: The University of the South, and others, presenters will
share their insight, experiences, and successes with their peers.

Educational
sessions in track one will address topics such as the ICT funding, centralizing
networking services, organizational efficiencies, project management, and much
more. In the mobility and wireless track, sessions will highlight topics such
as fixed mobile convergence, bringing 802.11 to the dorms, WiFi access, and
securing networks for wireless.

ACUTA
is the only national association dedicated to serving the needs of higher
education information communications technology professionals, representing
some 2,000 individuals at 780 institutions.

“As
we begin to see signs in the world economy that the current economic challenges
could be lifting, we expect an especially interesting exchange of ideas and
experiences among attendees,” said Jeri Semer, executive director of ACUTA.
“Both of these educational tracks are timely and important, and our campus
speakers as well as corporate presenters will be sharing practical, pertinent
information.”

Beyond
the educational sessions, ACUTA events are well known for the extensive
networking opportunities they present for campus technology professionals.

For
more information or to register for the Fall Seminar, visit the ACUTA website
at www.acuta.org or call 859-278-3338.

About ACUTAACUTA, the
Association for Information Communications Technology Professionals in Higher
Education, is an international non-profit educational association serving
colleges and universities. Its core purpose is to support higher education
information communications technology professionals in contributing to the
achievement of the strategic mission of their institutions. ACUTA represents
nearly 2000 individuals at some 780 institutions of higher education, with
members ranging from small schools and community colleges to the 50 largest
U.S. institutions. ACUTA’s Corporate Affiliate members represent all categories
of communications technology vendors serving the college/university market. For
more information, visit www.acuta.org or call 859-278-3338.

*********************************

CALENDAR NOTES FOR SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2009

September is busy…

Hurricane
Season peaks

Wild
fires on the West Coast

9/11
Memorial

NECA
convention and expo in Seattle Sept 12-15

NAED HR & Training Conference, September 14-16

Selling Energy Solutions: A Hands-on Workshop for Distributors on
How to Sell Green, September 24-25

Coleman
Cable’s DLO cable has UL RHH/RHW-2 and CSA RW90 approvals and is rated for 2000
volt and 90°C wet/dry.. DLO is constructed with fully annealed tinned copper
that meets ASTM B-33, premium grade Ethylene Propylene (EP) insulation and a robust
Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) jacket. These
compounds provide a cable with excellent impact and abrasion resistance, as
well as superior resistance to oils, heat, flame, acids, and alkalis. The cable
also carries a sunlight-resistant rating.

“Coleman
Cable continues to capitalize on our copper fabrication, thermosetting, and
thermoplastic insulation production capabilities” said Gene Stang, Vice
President of Product Management and Market Development.“The DLO product line will complement our
recent industrial product line additions of un-insulated copper fabrication,
XHHW, SIS VW1, and tray cables. Coleman Cable is committed to offer one of the
broadest product lines in the wire and cable industry.”

DLO
may be used in oil and gas drilling rigs, mining and earth moving equipment,
shipyards, and motor leads, and other heavy-duty industrial environments where
a highly flexible single conductor cable is required.

About
Coleman Cable Inc.

Coleman
Cable, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and innovator of electrical and
electronic wire and cable products for the security, sound, telecommunications,
electrical, commercial, industrial, and automotive industries. With extensive
design and production capabilities and a long-standing dedication to customer
service, Coleman Cable, Inc. is the preferred choice of cable and wire users
throughout North America. The company is located at 1530 Shields Drive,
Waukegan, IL 60085.For more
information, visit: www.colemancable.com

*********************************

ELK - NEW! IN-LINE TELEPHONE SURGE PROTECTOR FOR SECURITY CONTROLS

New!
In-line Telephone Surge Protector for Security Controls

The
ELK-952 Five Stage Telephone Surge Protector provides exceptional protection
against damage from lightning, voltage spikes, and surge damage coming into a
phone line. This surge protector is very economical and works with any
security control.The ELK-952 easily
installs between the RJ31X phone jack and the security control.It features multi-stage protection and super
fast response time.

Aug.
26, 2009 (EVERETT, Wash.) – Fluke Networks, the leader in network installation,
certification, testing, monitoring and analysis, today announced that it has
completed the acquisition of AirMagnet, a leader in performance, security and
compliance solutions for wireless LANs.

The
acquisition of AirMagnet is expected to create a global leader in the fast
growing area of Wi-Fi testing and security and should further strengthen Fluke
Networks’ worldwide leadership in test and analysis for networks, regardless of
media type. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About AirMagnet Inc.
AirMagnet Inc. is a leader in security, performance and compliance solutions
for wireless LANs. The company's innovative products include AirMagnet
Enterprise, the leading 24x7 WLAN security and performance management solution,
and AirMagnet WiFi Analyzer — which is known as the "de facto tool for
wireless LAN troubleshooting and analysis." Other products provide WLAN
site survey and design, RF interference detection, remote diagnostics, and the
world's first voice over WiFi analysis solution. AirMagnet has more than 8,200
customers worldwide, including 75 of the Fortune 100. The company, based in
Sunnyvale, Calif., has offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.AirMagnet.com.

About Fluke Networks

Fluke Networks provides innovative solutions for the installation
and certification, testing, monitoring and analysis of copper, fiber and
wireless networks used by enterprises and telecommunications carriers. The
company's comprehensive line of Network SuperVision™ Solutions provide network
installers, owners, and maintainers with superior vision, combining speed,
accuracy and ease of use to optimize network performance. Headquartered in
Everett, Washington, the company distributes its products in more than 50
countries. More information can be found by visiting Fluke Networks’ Web site
at: www.flukenetworks.com or by
calling (800) 283-5853.

*********************************

FOA WEB SITE ASSISTS USERS OF FIBER OPTIC COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

The
user of fiber optic communications systems often has problems finding
information on fiber optics which is relevant to their application. Where can
end users such as IT managers, building owners, town managers and even
independent telcos often go for comprehensive, trustworthy information on fiber
optics?

Manufacturers
often provide good information but, of course, their information is limited to
applications of their products in their targeted markets. Industry standards
are written by and for manufacturers. The quality of information on many
websites is questionable. Most training material is aimed at training
installation techs, not users.

The
Fiber Optic Association, Inc, the professional society of fiber optics, is
working to help users learn more about fiber optics. The FOA has created a web
site devoted to information useful to the end user who is considering using
fiber optics in their communications systems and planning or installing a
network.

The
FOA web site includes an extensive online reference guide to fiber optics (http://www.thefoa.org/tech/ref/index.html)
that is widely used for technical information on the basics of fiber optics,
components, network design, installation and testing.

There is now a special section of the FOA
website where end users can find answers to their questions on fiber optics or
even find out what questions to ask. In addition, it includes step-by-step
recommendations for making a decision whether fiber is the best choice for
them, planning a communications system, managing the installation and
maintaining the system. Guidance is available in choosing components,
communications system equipment and even a contractor to install everything.

As
a non-profit professional society chartered to promote fiber optics, the FOA
offers an unique, unbiased perspective on this process that can assist users in
making the best choices for their needs.The web site is located at http://www.thefoa.org/user/

The Fiber Optic
Association, Inc. is an nonprofit educational organization chartered to promote fiber
optics through education, certification and standards. Over 230 FOA-Approved
schools around the world have certified more than 27,000 fiber optic
technicians. The FOA offers free online introductory fiber optic programs for
everyone and training for instructors at FOA-Approved schools. For more
information on the FOA, see the organization's website http://www.thefoa.org/, email
info@thefoa.orgor call
760-451-3655.

*********************************

CSC / WESCO 2009 GREEN & SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT

Communications Supply Corporation and its parent company WESCO
International (NYSE:WCC) jointly, will host its next wave of the 10-city
Sustainability Summits in New York City, NY on July 16, 2009, followed by
Boston, MA on August 11, then San Francisco, CA on Sept. 10,
2009.

These events follow the successful summit in Dallas, TX where nearly 200
customers attended the event.

These unique one day events bring CSC and WESCO management teams
together with senior-level IT, operations and facilities professionals from
large organizations to provide a state-of-the-art understanding about the Green
and Sustainability movement in the United States. Attendees will be presented
with information to assist in the planning and construction of a green roadmap
that addresses all aspects of a 21st Century Digital Building.

The Summits will feature high-profile keynote speakers, including
Andy Karsner, US Assistant Secretary of Energy (2005-08) and executive members
from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The event will also
cover best-practice recommendations surrounding data center power, cooling and
bandwidth efficiencies, green lighting solutions, and various sustainability
funding opportunities through grants, tax credits and other sources.
Additionally, a thirty-company tradeshow will be held featuring the nations leading
manufacturers who share the same green and sustainability vision as CSC and
WESCO.

The most notable quote in Phoenix from the former Assistant
Secretary of Energy was “….this is about being green, but green is also about
building that hedge.It’s about making
us more competitive and more productive – ensuring that our economic
development persists.”

“Our aim is to offer customers who are interested in implementing
a green strategy the resources, tools, and product solutions that focus on data
centers and lighting technologies”, says Frank LaPlante, CSC’s Vice President
of Marketing. “The data center environment alone accounts for 3 - 4% of
the nation’s energy consumption. We can demonstrate ways to take costs out of
our customers businesses, identify funding sources, and leverage utility rebate
opportunities. We are very pleased with the enthusiasm these events are
generating as WESCO and CSC provide a comprehensive green solutions package”

NEW YORK -- Shares of General Cable
Corp. fell sharply after the wire and cable maker said its third-quarter
earnings will miss Wall Street expectations by a wide margin.

The
Highland Heights, Ky., company issued its guidance when it reported
second-quarter results Wednesday after the market closed. General Cable beat
analyst expectations for April through June, but it forecast third-quarter
earnings below consensus estimates.

"We
expect demand for our products will continue to be weak as a result of project
deferrals and cancellations in many of our end markets as a consequence of
tighter credit markets and reduced energy consumption," the company said
in a statement.

Further,
the third quarter will suffer from "extended summer shutdowns in an effort
to continue to balance inventory levels with expected weak end-market demand,
which will result in incremental unabsorbed fixed costs but favorable cash
flows," General Cable said.

Third-quarter
results also may be hindered by a recent rise in the cost of copper and
aluminum, among other raw materials, and normal seasonal patterns.

*********************************

HELLERMANNTYTON INTRODUCES NEW HEAT SHRINK LINE

MILWAUKEE,
WI (August 5, 2009) – HellermannTyton is now offering a complete industrial line of
non-printable heat shrink tubing in a variety of sizes, colors, and shrink
ratios. Primarily used to insulate, protect, and seal wire and cables
from abrasion, harmful elements, and environmental hazards, HellermannTyton’s
heat shrink tubing delivers exceptional reliability for these challenging
conditions.

Quality
and convenience are the two factors that set HellermannTyton’s heat shrink
tubing apart from competing brands. HellermannTyton uses its global
design expertise to offer a dependable product in multiple variations.
Thin, medium and thick walled adhesive lined tubes provide moderate to heavy
duty sealing protection against moisture and abrasion. The products are supplied
in a variety of packaging options to meet the needs of the project, no matter
how large or small. Supplied in bulk reels, handy dispenser boxes or
standard sticks, HellermannTyton can meet most project requirements.

HellermannTyton
uses E-Beam technology that incorporates an electron beam to crosslink the
molecular structure of the polymer, the main material in the heat shrink
tubing. The E-Beam technology is preferred over traditional methods that use
chemical-linking because of the stronger bond it produces which, in turn,
creates a more durable tubing.

For more information on HellermannTyton’s Non-Printable Heat
Shrink Tubing, contact HellermannTyton by phone at 1-800-822-4352, email
info@htamericas.com, or visit www.hellermann.tyton.com.

HellermannTyton, located in more than 30 countries, is a leading,
global manufacturer of systems and solutions which help world-class customers,
protect, manage and identify wire, cable, and components.

*********************************

ERICO HAS ANOTHER WINNING SOLUTION – MOUNTING PLATES

The
Mp1wwm Within Wall Mounting Plate Eliminates Gaps Between The Wall And
Faceplate

SOLON, Ohio, USA, August
2009– Traditional methods for installing low-voltage
cable, phone and data lines can cause a variety of problems, including
unsightly gaps between the faceplate and mounting plate. Or, if the mounting
plate is not secure, excess movement can damage the cable or cause the
faceplate to detach from the wall.

The
MP1WWM Within Wall Mounting Plate, part of the CADDY® line of
fasteners from ERICO®, helps eliminate these problems and offers an
increased level of security, stability and protection for low-voltage
installations.

Brightly
colored yellow markers indicate when it’s correctly installed and convenient
marking dimples are used to indent the drywall and identify the exact box size
to cut out. After slipping the mounting plate into the hole, it can be easily
pulled into position using a tether on the center of the plate.

Securing
pins on either side of the plate can be pressed into the drywall to lock the
plate into place and prevent it from moving. These innovative securing pins
also keep the plate in place when the faceplate is attached, making a permanent
installation. The MP1WWM is cULus® Pending.

GenSPEED® 10 MTP’s Mosaic Crossblock technology
shields the cable from noise coming from external cable sources, referred to as
alien crosstalk (PSANEXT and PSAACRF). The Mosaic Crossblock was
carefully designed with metallic blocks separated by an insulating layer.Since there is no metal-to-metal contact,
there is no path for current to flow longitudinally, and thus, no need for
grounding.

General Cable’s second offering, GenSPEED® 10,000
Category 6a 10 Gig Cable, is a cost-effective, standard-compliant 10 Gig UTP
cabling option designed to meet ANSI/TIA 568 B.2-10.Perfect for component upgrades, this cable is
fully backward-compatible to legacy infrastructures, and prepares your system
for future 10 Gigabit applications. GenSPEED 10,000 solves the One
Gigabit limitation of Category 5e and Category 6 and is an ideal solution for
bandwidth-intensive applications.

Next
is General Cable’s GenSPEED® 10,000 Category 6a
Shielded 10 Gig Cable.GenSPEED
10,000 Shielded is a STP cable with individually shielded pairs for optimized
isolation between pairs and immunity from external noise characterized by
powersum alien crosstalk (PSANEXT) in cable bundles.Shields are an extremely effective way of
protecting the cable from outside noise (“alien sources”) by moving the
electromagnetic energy away from the pairs and directing it through the shield
and drain wire to the ground. Of course, STP cables are only effective if they
are properly grounded.GenSPEED
10,000 Shielded offers you the ultimate PSANEXT protection.

Last but not least, General Cable rounds out its 10 Gig offering
with NextGen® OM3 Fiber Optic Cable, the optimum in 10 Gb/s
fiber.General Cable has partnered with
Corning® Optical Fiber to supply you the world’s most
technologically advanced optical fiber cables.The
bandwidth is ensured by minEMBc, and uniformity provides field performance of
shorter lengths.With 100% testing on
this product, you don’t have to worry about performance and reliability. Your
cabling system will be future-proofed, because all NextGen 10 Gb/s fiber sold
exceeds the specifications to which it is sold, typically allowing for more
system margin and extended reach.

General
Cable (NYSE:BGC), headquartered in Highland Heights, Kentucky, is a leader in
the development, design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of copper,
aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable products for the energy, industrial,
specialty and communications markets. The Company offers competitive strengths
in such areas as breadth of product line, brand recognition, distribution and
logistics, sales and service and operating efficiency.Energy cables include low-, medium- and
high-voltage power distribution and power transmission products. The Industrial
and Specialty segment is comprised of application-specific cables for uses such
as electrical power generation (traditional fuels, alternative and renewable
sources, and distributed generation), the oil, gas and petrochemical
industries, mining, industrial automation, marine, military and aerospace
applications, power applications in the telecommunications industry, and other key
industrial segments. Communications wire and cable products transmit
low-voltage signals for voice, data, video and control applications. Visit our
Web site at www.GeneralCable.com.

SYCAMORE, IL, August 11, 2009 -- IDEAL
INDUSTRIES, INC. today announced the appointment of operations manager Brian
Slayton to the position of Business Unit Manager - Tools and Supplies,
effective immediately. With key expertise in manufacturing processes,
Slayton will further strengthen the unit's leadership in professional-grade
quality hand tools, tool bags and cutting accessories while targeting expansion
into new product categories to serve the electrical, construction and data
communications markets.

As Business Unit Manager, Slayton will be responsible for the day-to-day
operations of the Tools and Supplies group, including oversight of the IDEAL
manufacturing facility and distribution center in Sycamore, Illinois. Slayton
will report directly to Glenn Hollister, Vice President and General Manager of
the IDEAL Electrical Division

"Brian's sound management skills and manufacturing experience were important
factors in his appointment," explained Hollister. "With tools and
supplies forming a critical part of our organic growth strategy, we feel his
expertise will add immense value to the company and take this business unit to
a new level."

Slayton comes to IDEAL from the Building Components Group of ITW, a leader in
residential and light commercial construction products and services, where he
served as Vice President of Operations.

About IDEAL Industries, Inc.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. has been serving the electrical industry since 1916.
IDEAL is one of the world's leading manufacturers of professional quality tools
and supplies serving installation professionals in the construction,
maintenance, data communications and original equipment manufacturing
industries.

SYCAMORE, IL, August 14, 2009-- When the grounding
system of a cellular tower or a data center falters, networks outages can occur
that inconvenience customers, shut down business operations, and endanger
sensitive electronics. To avoid these problems, ongoing verification of
the grounding system is required.

One of the easiest ways to troubleshoot a grounding system is the IDEAL
61-920 Ground Resistance Clamp Meter with auto-ranging. Its simple
operation eliminates the need for leads, auxiliary rods, spacing provisions, or
disconnecting of ground rods, as is necessary with traditional measuring
techniques. Instead, the 61-920's jaws clamp around a ground rod for direct
reading of ground resistance from 0.01 to 1200 Ohms, and for the direct
measurement of ground leakage current up to 30 Amps. True RMS accurately
measures AC current even with distorted waveforms due to harmonics.

"Our ground resistance clamp meter tests not only the rod but also the
integrity of the bonds in the grounding system," said Dave Skowronski ,
Senior Product Manager for IDEAL. "It does no good to have a 5 ohm ground
rod with a 80 ohm path leading to it. Testing with our clamp will show the user
the true performance of their system, not just the rod."

The 61-920 features an oversized clamp to accommodate cables or rods up to
1.25-inches (32mm). In addition, it helps users achieve higher levels of
productivity thanks to its large memory capacity for saving records, a data
hold function for capturing readings, plus a powerful backlit LCD that can be
read in dimly lit areas. There is also a continuity buzzer that issues an
audible warning to the user when the measurement result is 10 Ohms or less,
along with a Noise Check that senses current on the ground electrode or ground
wire and displays "NOISE" on the LCD.

Rugged and dependable, the 61- 920 brings maximum value to the end-user. It is
safety rated to CAT III 300V and backed by the IDEAL Two-Year Warranty.

The IDEAL 920 Series Ground Resistance Clamp Meter is now shipping with an MSRP
of $1856 (U.S.).

EDITOR SUMMARY: The IDEAL 61- 920 Series Ground Resistance Clamp Meter provides
fast, accurate measurement of ground rod resistance from 0.01 to 1200 Ohms, and
for the direct measurement of ground leakage current up to 30 Amps without need
for auxiliary ground spikes. Key features include an oversized jaw to
accommodate cable or rods up to 1.25 inches (1000 MCM cable), backlit LCD,
large internal memory, auto power off, noise check and Data Hold. It is safety
rated to CATIII 300V. Typical applications include verifying resistance of
cellular tower ground grids, checking utility transmission, and measuring
ground rod and ground resistance in substations, plants and office buildings,
as well as in consumer installations such as pools and spas.

About IDEAL Industries, Inc.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. has been serving the electrical industry since 1916.
IDEAL is one of the world's leading manufacturers of professional quality tools
and supplies serving installation professionals in the construction,
maintenance, data communications and original equipment manufacturing
industries.

*********************************

ATTENTION ALL HIGH ROLLERS: VISIT IDEAL BICSI BOOTH TO WIN A NEW LANTEK II CABLE CERTIFIER

SYCAMORE,
IL, July 31, 2009 -- BICSI attendees this year will not need to leave the show
floor for the casino experience.That's
because IDEAL's BICSI booth will feature an authentic Las Vegas slot machine to
let attendees spin to win a LanTEK II Cable Certifier valued at over $8,000.00.

Fittingly,
the BICSI Fall Conference and Exhibition will be held at the Las Vegas
Convention Center, from September 20-24, 2009. Attendees and other high rollers
are encouraged to visit IDEAL Booth #303 for a free pull of the lever. Winners
receive either a valuable IDEAL giveaway or the chance to "double
down" and wager their winnings on a Tuesday night drawing awarding one of
three exciting prizes:

The
Grand Prize is a 1000 MHz LanTEK II cable certifier. This remarkable new tool
performs nine second Cat 5e and 14 second Cat 6 tests with full performance
data plus 10 Gigabit Alien Crosstalk testing that's more than 4x faster than
other systems. The patented universal adapter systems lets you certify most
cabling with off-the-shelf patch cords saving time and money by eliminating the
need for proprietary permanent link adapters.

The
third-place drawing winner will receive is an IDEAL DataCom tool kit complete
with a comprehensive selection of professional-grade IDEAL tools and testers.

Dan
Payerle, Business Unit Manager of the IDEAL Test Division will play pit boss
for the BICSI Show: "One quick spin of the reels will be all it takes for
a BICSI attendee to go home with the data communication's industry premier cable
certifier, the LanTEK II.This
unprecedented opportunity to win is open to all attendees to play. The IDEAL
team is looking forward to the most exciting BICSI ever."

For
more information, contact IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC., Becker Place, Sycamore, Illinois
60178. Or phone 1-800-435-0705, Fax: 1-800-533-4483. On the web,
www.idealindustries.com. Or go to the new www.lantek2.com website to read
contest details.

Follow
IDEAL on twitter @ideal_sycamore

About IDEAL Industries,
Inc.

IDEAL
INDUSTRIES, INC. has been serving the electrical industry since 1916. IDEAL is
one of the world's leading manufacturers of professional quality tools and
supplies serving installation professionals in the construction, maintenance,
data communications and original equipment manufacturing industries.

*********************************

RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AT LEVITON’S NEW WORLD HEADQUARTERS DRAWS HUNDREDS IN ATTENDANCE

Leviton celebrates grand
opening of its state-of-the-art complex with one of the largest ribbon-cutting
ceremonies ever on Long Island

Melville, NY, August 5, 2009-- Over 500 people attended
one of the largest ribbon-cutting ceremonies Long Island has ever seen at
Leviton’s new world headquarters on July 21st.The complex’s atrium
was filled to the brim to watch Leviton President and CEO Donald J. Hendler cut
the blue and green ribbon with Shirley Leviton, wife of former President and
CEO Harold Leviton.

The
grand opening is a significant event for Leviton after its relocation from
Little Neck to Melville Long Island’s “corporate corridor.” The headquarters serves as
the high-tech home to the company’s global operations across four
continents. “The opening of our new headquarters will support our
commitment to deliver the highest level of customer service, streamline our
operations and focus on major global markets with the latest technology and
systems as we continue to position Leviton as one of the world’s leading
corporations,” said Donald J. Hendler.

Attendees
enjoyed live music, refreshments and a facility walk-through of the 4-story,
high-performance “green building.” Keynote speakers included Suffolk
County Executive Steve Levy, Huntington Town Supervisor Frank Petrone and
Donald J. Hendler. A highlight of the program was a heartwarming presentation
by Shirley Leviton prior to the ribbon cutting.

The
state-of-the-art office complex serves as a model high-performance building
equipped with the latest “green building” materials and systems including
Leviton’s own products. “Our new world headquarters complex is visible
evidence of our continuing investment in our company so we are in the best
possible position to serve our customers efficiently and responsively for
decades to come. The building provides an operating environment which is
environmentally responsible and which supports our commitment to our customers,
our community and our sustainability goals,” said Bill Marshall, Leviton’s
Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing.

Leominster, MA, August 26,
2009:
Mohawk, a leading manufacturer of fiber optic and copper cable products, is
pleased to announce the appointment of CH Stout, Inc. to Mohawk’s field sales
force covering Louisiana. CH Stout is celebrating over 60 years of leadership
in the electrical industry as a manufacturers’ representative and value added
provider of electrical and electronic solutions. With headquarters in Little
Rock, AR, they are one of the largest electrical equipment manufacturers’
representatives in the country. Mohawk is proud to have such a strong
organization as part of our team.

For
additional information, CH Stout can be contacted as follows:

CH
Stout, Inc.

2400
Cantrell, Suite 100

Little
Rock, AR 72202

501-372-2555

About Mohawk
Mohawk, a division of Belden, is headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts,
and has been providing fiber and copper cable innovations for over 50 years.
Their headquartered location dedicates 210,000 square feet to today’s most
advanced facilities for the design, development and production of copper, fiber
optic, and hybrid wire and cable. Mohawk, an ISO 9001 certified company,
develops products to meet and support TIA/EIA, ISO/IEC, ICEA and NEMA
standards. As part of the global Belden operations, Mohawk is supported with
worldwide management, financial resources, and distribution capabilities.

*********************************

MORE THAN 1300 LEED PROFESSIONALS ENROLLED IN THE LEED CREDENTIALING MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

Practice, service and education will keep LEED professionals’ experience and
knowledge at the forefront

(Washington, DC) August 25, 2009 – More than 1300 green building professionals
have already signed up to participate in the LEED Credentialing Maintenance
Program (CMP) since it was launched just three weeks ago, according to The
Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). The maintenance program,
which supports the LEED AP and LEED Green Associate credentials, ensures that
LEED professionals in the field are up to date with the most relevant and
useful information by requiring a commitment to ongoing participation in green
building project, learning and service activities.

“Since the program’s launch on August 3, we’ve seen a steady upward trend in
enrollment,” said Arnold Kee, Continuing Education Manager, GBCI.
“Professionals who are keeping up with the rapidly evolving knowledge base of
the green building industry by enrolling recognize the competitive advantage
they’ll gain. As businesses learn that their pursuit of sustainability
leads to innovation and increased efficiency, they will need professionals that
can help them reach that goal. In turn, GBCI will help the business
community meet that need—by credentialing LEED professionals who are ready to
work and innovate.”

In May 2009, GBCI put in place a number of changes and enhancements to the LEED
professional credentialing program, including the introduction of the LEED
Green Associate and specialties within the LEED Accredited Professional program
to better reflect market practice areas. LEED AP specialty programs
include operations & maintenance, homes, building design & construction
and interior design & construction. The specialty for neighborhood
development will be available in 2010. The specialties allow LEED
professionals to differentiate themselves in the market and focus on specific
areas of expertise or practice.

A number of activities qualify to earn LEED credential holders credit toward
credentialing maintenance. Those activities include continuing education as
well as the practical application of LEED on green building projects and active
participation in the green building community. A CMP Guide is available at
www.gbci.org that outlines CMP-eligible activities and the requirements for
maintaining all LEED professional credential programs.

Enrollment is available at no charge to those LEED APs who have passed one of
the retired exams. Invitations to enroll in CMP are being sent out to these
credential holders from August to October according to a schedule published on
the GBCI website. All newly credentialed professionals are automatically
enrolled when they pass the LEED Green Associate or LEED AP specialty
exam. Enroll at: http://www.gbci.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=201.

About GBCI
The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) provides third party
confirmation that specific criteria related to LEED building certification and
LEED professional credentialing continues to be developed in accordance with
best practices for credentialing and certification programs. To underscore this
commitment, GBCI is undergoing the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
accreditation process for personnel certification agencies complying with
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard 17024. Early in
2009, GBCI assumed responsibility for administering the LEED building certification
program for the more than 30,000 commercial projects seeking third-party
verification of compliance with the industry's leading green building rating
system. For more information, please visit www.gbci.org.

ST. LOUIS… CEP
Certification, LLC (CEP Certification) a limited liability corporation
established by the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED)
announces the first group of Certified Electrical Professional – Inside Sales™
(CEP – IS™) and Certified Electrical Professional – Outside Sales™ (CEP – OS™)
certificants.

CEP is a certification program for distributors, manufacturers and
others in the electrical distribution channel. Certification gives the holder
credibility in their industry and increases the professionalism of the industry
as a whole. CEP certification identifies that the holder has demonstrated
expertise in areas such as product knowledge, customer service, sales skills,
and soft skills giving them added credibility in the electrical industry.

The following have been awarded the Certified Electrical
Professional – Inside Sales:

The next test date will be January 16, 2010, interested candidates should begin
preparing now. For suggested courses, FAQs, candidate guides, sample exam
questions, self assessments, and other helpful materials, visit the CEP home
page at www.naed-cep.org.
Or contact John Kiso, educational program manager for the NAED Education and
Research Foundation at jkiso@naed.org or toll-free at (888)
791-2512.

CEP Certification, LLC (CEP Certification) is a limited liability
corporation established by the National Association of Electrical Distributors
(NAED) to develop and administer certification and recertification processes
for the purpose of designating those individuals who have met CEP Certification
professional knowledge standards. The mission of CEP Certification is to
enhance the performance of individuals working in the electrical distribution
industry by setting standards for the performance of industry job roles and
assessing individuals against these standards.

New Website Includes Updated Technologies and the Launch of a Digital
Version of the Monthly Print Edition of TED Magazine

ST. LOUIS… The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) and TED
Magazine announce the launch of the completely overhauled www.TedMag.com.
A consistent source of industry news for more than a decade, added site
features include new specialty areas for market data in the IndexRoom,
technology topics in the TechRoom, and the continued development of energy
efficiency topics in the GreenRoom.

The new site also includes the launch of a digital
version of the monthly print edition of TED Magazine, RSS feeds from
the NewsRoom, and four blogs to provide an interactive forum for the electrical
industry. Industry members can visit the new Web site and subscribe to the
digital version today to get their issue earlier or to provide it to additional
recipients.

“TedMag.com has basically provided an industry news service up until now. With
the redesign we expanded that service to include more interaction with improved
navigation,” said Michael Martin, publisher TED Magazine. “With new
content sections categorized divided by type, four new blogs, a product area,
and a new digital version of TED’s monthly print issue, the site goes a
lot further to provide services to our readers.”

Other features are still in development including the TED
ResourceCenter, a section devoted to bringing distributors the latest
whitepapers, video, and resources from manufacturers.

TED Magazine is the primary source of information for the electrical
distribution channel across North America. Published by the National
Association of Electrical Distributors, the publication is dedicated to best
practices for the electrical supply chain. In addition to its print edition, TED
Magazine produces up-to-the minute news at www.TedMag.com.

NEMA - NORTH AMERICAN CURRENT CONDITIONS EBCI SIGNALS IMPROVEMENT IN AUGUST

ROSSLYN,
Va., August 26, 2009 – NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for
current North American conditions jumped nearly 12 points to 53.3 in August, an
indication that the business environment facing electrical equipment
manufacturers improved during the month.

A
companion measure of the intensity of change in business conditions gave
slightly less auspicious results. The intensity of change indicator rose to 0.0
on the month, suggesting conditions were essentially unchanged in August
compared to July. Intensity of change in business conditions is measured on a
scale ranging from –5 (deteriorated significantly) through 0 (unchanged) to +5
(improved significantly).

Meanwhile,
the North American future conditions EBCI also climbed in August, rising 1.7
points to 68.3. This marked the highest reading for the future conditions index
since August 2005 and implies that a significant proportion of industry
executives expect at least some degree of improvement in the business situation
within the next six months.

The
Electroindustry Business Confidence Index gauges the business confidence of the
electroindustry in Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America, and is based
on the results of a monthly survey of senior managers at NEMA member companies.
Those companies represent more than 80 percent of the electroindustry.

NEMA
is the association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers.
Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450
member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and
distribution, control, and end use of electricity. These products are used in utility,
industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. The
association’s Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) Division
represents manufacturers of cutting-edge medical diagnostic imaging equipment
including MRI, CT, x-ray, and ultrasound products. Worldwide sales of
NEMA-scope products exceed $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in
Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico City.

August 3, 2009 – Bothell,
WA: Leviton
today announced the addition of the C1 Ultra Composite Patch Panel, the
industry’s first to be constructed of polymer materials, to its broad selection
of copper cable patch panels. The C1 Ultra offers a stylish look for a wide
range of customization options.

The
C1 Ultra is available in 2RU 48-port 110-style and QuickPort®
field-configurable models. Each panel includes two integrated patch cord
managers and two rear cable management bars. The patch cord managers attach
directly to the face of the panel, conserving rack space and saving cost for
the end user. The panel is made of glass-filled polymer composite, and performed
better than standard 16 AWG metal panels in applied force tests of 20-lb loads.

Those
who choose to customize the C1 Ultra™ are able to download an artwork template
from the Leviton website and provide their own colors, logos, designs, and
functionality to the face of the panel. The standard C1 Ultra panel without
customization comes in charcoal grey and includes the Leviton logo.

“The
C1 Ultra is a leap forward in patch panel construction and design,” explains
Keith Kosanovich, RCDD, Leviton's senior product manager for copper systems.
“In addition to its robust construction, unique look and customizable face, the
panel was also designed to complement the look of Leviton’s Opt-X Ultra Fiber
Enclosure and Versi-Duct Cable Management System, making it ideal for showcase
environments with advanced networks.”

Leviton’s
C1 Ultra Composite Patch Panels, along with all the company’s connectivity
solutions, are available through the company’s reseller network. More
information is available online at www.leviton.com/C1ultra.

About Leviton Network
Solutions

Leviton
Network Solutions was created 20 years ago to meet the growing need for telecommunications
and high-speed data technologies. Today, the division is dedicated to producing
complete network infrastructure systems for the enterprise, data center,
government, health care, education, and residential markets. Copper, fiber, and
power solutions include structured cabling systems, enclosures, PDUs and much
more. All Leviton products are engineered to exacting standards and offer
guaranteed performance. For more information, visit Leviton.com.

*********************************

BUILDINGGREEN NEWS

BuildingGreen publishes information in outlets such as Environmental
Building News (EBN) and BuildingGreen Suite that cover the
most pressing issues in environmentally sensitive design and construction with
a clear approach to all sides of an issue, keeping our readers informed on
building for sustainability. This email brings you, as a news editor or website
owner interested in sustainable design, links to breaking stories currently
posted in the free area of www.BuildingGreen.com.

We encourage you to post these summaries and links on your website.
However, please DO NOT post full articles without direct permission from Jim
Newman at BuildingGreen, LLC.

When posting the summaries and links below on your website(s), please make it
clear that the stories are coming from Environmental Building News and
that the full article is available at www.BuildingGreen.com.
Please include this byline:
"From Environmental Building News, www.BuildingGreen.com."

BuildingGreen, LLC owns the copyrights to all material contained in this email
and to the full written articles. All rights are reserved except those
explicitly granted herein. Contact Jim Newman at BuildingGreen, LLC, Jim@BuildingGreen.com with questions
or for additional information.

All materials Copyright BuildingGreen, LLC 2009.

BUILDINGGREEN LAUNCHES LEEDUSER.COM

Responding to the need for comprehensive help with the LEED rating
systems that is based on real-world experience, we at BuildingGreen are excited
to announce LEEDuser, a new Web-based tool.

LEEDuser, which you can find at www.LEEDuser.com, was developed by
BuildingGreen with the support of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to
assist users of LEED 2009. It serves projects using the five recently launched
LEED 2009 rating systems (New Construction, Core & Shell, Schools,
Commercial Interiors, and Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance).

With the April 27, 2009, release of the LEED 2009 family of rating
systems, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) introduced a new element to
its LEED package: minimum project requirements (MPRs). They vary slightly by
rating system, but in general they aim to exclude structures from LEED that are
too small, unoccupied, or mobile. They require a reasonable site definition,
and compliance with environmental laws. Most significantly, they require owners
of all certified projects to provide energy- and water-use data to USGBC for
five years from the time of occupancy.

Insulation is a critical component of our buildings, and providing
high R-values must be a high priority in creating green buildings of nearly all
types and sizes.

Toward that end, polystyrene insulation, both extruded (XPS) and expanded
(EPS), plays a key role in many energy-efficient green buildings. And it is a
key component of several specialized, high-performance building-envelope
systems, such as structural insulated panels (SIPs), insulated concrete forms
(ICFs), and exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS).

However, as our feature article this month points out, polystyrene is not a
very green material.

Portfolio Manager, the interactive energy management tool operated by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will receive significant updates at the
end of August 2009, which could affect energy performance ratings for various
building types.

Building owners in Austin, Texas, are getting a crash course in energy
efficiency. A new ordinance that went into effect on June 1, 2009, requires
Austin Energy electricity customers-the vast majority of city occupants, both
residential and commercial-to perform audits on homes and multifamily
residential properties and pursue energy labeling on commercial buildings. The
ordinance tackles only energy reporting, but some are hopeful that mandatory
energy-efficiency improvements will be next.

Constructed Wetlands for WastewaterBackpage
Primer from Environmental Building News

Conventional on-site wastewater systems (septic systems), even when functioning
properly, do not adequately prevent pollutants from reaching groundwater and
surface water (see EBN March 1994). A constructed wetland is an alternative
that uses plants and microorganisms living in association with plant roots to
remove contaminants and nutrients from wastewater, significantly reducing
groundwater contamination. Although constructed wetlands can be used to treat
both stormwater and wastewater, this primer will focus on the latter.

BuildingGreen, LLC is publisher of the nation's oldest publication on
sustainable design and construction and the leading national directory of green
building products. For more information on BuildingGreen and its resources on
environmentally responsible design and construction, visit www.BuildingGreen.com,
email Info@buildinggreen.com, or call
800-861-0954 (outside the U.S. and Canada, call 802-257-7300). BuildingGreen is
a socially responsible company based in Brattleboro, Vermont.

GE’S
10KVA to 750KVA UPSS to be sold through Minuteman Distribution Channel

Dallas,
TX – August 20, 2009 – Para Systems, Inc., a leading provider of comprehensive power
protection solutions, today announced a marketing and sales agreement with
General Electric’s Power Quality division.Under the terms of the agreement, GE’s LP-33U and SG series of premium
quality three-phase uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) will be available to
IT solution distributors currently selling Para Systems’ Minuteman brand of
power products.

The
Minuteman product line currently includes single-phase UPSs ranging from 400VA
up to 24kVA, along with a full line of surge protectors, power distribution
units (PDUs), remote power managers (RPMs) and a full-featured power monitoring
software product.With the addition of
GE’s line of three-phase products, Para Systems can now offer high-end
three-phase solutions up to 750kVA.

“The
Minuteman brand has a strong reputation in the telecom, security and
information technologies markets and we see this relationship as a win-win for
both companies,” stated Patrick Gannon with GE’s Power Quality division.“We are excited about the prospects of this alliance
and see the value in offering a complete, turnkey three phase solution for
their product portfolio.”

The
LP-33U and SG series Uninterruptible Power Supply(UPS) from GE Digital
Energy’s Power Quality business delivers reliable power protection,
incorporating true on-line, double-conversion technology and proven Redundant
Parallel Architecture™ (RPA™).Available in 10-60 kVA, the LP-33U Series’ “transformerless” design and
compact footprint create less weight, better efficiency, easy front service
access, and low audible noise, making it suitable for both office and
industrial environments.In addition,
the LP series has “green” ECO-Mode™ functionality, which incorporates energy
efficient technology resulting in 98% power efficiency.The SG series includes a similar feature set
and is available in various sizes up to 750kVA

“By
aligning ourselves with General Electric, we are immediately able to offer much
larger power protection solutions that many of our current customers are
seeking,” stated Bill Allen, director of marketing for Para Systems.“We are able to tap into a strong global
service and support team, along with a field-proven, highly reliable product
line from one of the largest corporations with one of the most recognizable
brands in the world.”

GE’s
three-phase products are currently available through the Minuteman distributor
channel.

Para Systems has finalized an agreement with GE's Digital Power
Systems division to sell GE's LP and SG series of three-phase UPS
products. Distributors currently selling Para Systems' Minuteman brand of
UPSs are now able to sell the GE products.

This is an important alliance for both companies, allowing Para
Systems to offer a complete line of power protection solutions from
low-end to high-end, while also making GE's products available through Para
Systems' extensive network of distributors in the telecom/VoIP, security and IT
channels.

About
Para Systems, Inc.

Para
Systems, Inc., based in Carrollton, TX, is a leading provider of power
technologies.The company’s Minuteman
brand of comprehensive power protection solutions range from small to
large-scale uninterruptible power supply (UPS) products to a full line of
unique surge suppressors, power distribution units, and remote power management
systems.Minuteman products protect
telephone/VOIP systems, personal computers, network servers and infrastructure
peripherals, security systems, and industrial applications. The Minuteman brand
of products is sold through a large network of distributors and resellers.Para Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Components Corporation of America, headquartered in Dallas, TX, whose roots
date back to 1916. For more information, visit www.minutemanups.com

About
GE Digital Energy

GE
Power Quality’s Digital Energy™ line, which provides UPS products ranging from
600VA to 4.5MVA, provides eco-friendly solutions designed to improve energy
efficiency, eliminate single points of failure, and reduce overall operational
data center costs.Ensuring mission
critical facility equipment and processes are protected and not interrupted by
power system anomalies; we offer a complete portfolio of Power Quality equipment
and solutions. When downtime is not an option, nothing short of the world
leader is acceptable for ensuring uninterrupted power and increasing business
uptime.For more information, users may
visit www.gedigitalenergy.com

*********************************

NEW MODELS WITH ‘GREEN’ FEATURES ADDED TO MINUTEMAN ENSPIRE SERIES UPSS

Dallas,
TX – August 11, 2009 – Para Systems, Inc. today announced the availability of two new
additions to their successful Minuteman EnSpire series of uninterruptible power
supplies.The EN750 and EN900 provide
new “green” features and are ideal for home office and small to medium-sized
businesses that are seeking value-priced power protection for their
mission-critical devices.

The
new EN750 and EN900 provide energy savings through two specific design
features. First, when the internal battery is fully charged, the charger goes
into “rest mode,” thus saving energy. Second, the units are designed to operate
at over 90% efficiency while in AC Normal mode. Higher efficiency means less
power is consumed while devices are operating. When the "Green Mode"
LCD is illuminated, the user will know the UPS is operating in its maximum
efficiency and energy-saving mode.Both
features decrease the amount of electricity required to operate the UPS and the
attached equipment, reducing both its carbon footprint and saving the user
money.

Along
with higher capacity capabilities and more battery power, the two new
micro-processor-based models have an LCD display that informs the user of
various power conditions, including input voltage, battery runtime, connected
load consumption, and other operating information.

“With
the introduction of the EN750 and EN900, we are bringing a higher-end feature
set to this value-priced product line,” stated Bill Allen, director of
marketing for Para Systems.“Priced at
less than $100, both of these models are an excellent choice to protect a
user’s valuable equipment within a home or office environment.We have also taken a device that already
offers important functionality by providing total power protection and added a
whole new end-user benefit in the form of power consumption savings.”

The
new EnSpire UPS products protect up to 4 mission-critical devices from all
power anomalies, including power outages, brownouts, surges and spikes.Four additional non-critical devices can be
plugged in to protect them from surges and spikes.The new units also have built-in surge and
spike protection for a cable or satellite TV coax connection, along with
protection for a single telephone or fax line.Free power monitoring and management software is also provided.

All
EnSpire models are standby UPSs that include a 3-year warranty on parts and
labor plus a 2-year warranty on each unit’s batteries.These new products are currently available
through on-line retailers, VARs, and distributors.For more information, visit www.minutemanups.com/enspire.

About
Para Systems, Inc.

Para
Systems, Inc., based in Carrollton, TX, is a leading provider of power
technologies.The company’s Minuteman
brand of comprehensive power protection solutions range from small to
large-scale uninterruptible power supply (UPS) products to a full line of
unique surge suppressors, power distribution units, and remote power management
systems.Minuteman products protect
telephone/VoIP systems, personal computers, network servers and infrastructure
peripherals, security systems, and industrial applications. The Minuteman brand
of products is sold through a large network of distributors and resellers.Para Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Components Corporation of America, headquartered in Dallas, TX, whose roots
date back to 1916. For more information, visit www.minutemanups.com.

*********************************

NJATC 2009/10 TRAINING PARTNER AWARDS

Upper Marlboro, MD ─ The National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical
Industry (NJATC) is pleased to announce the 2009/10 recipients of their annual
Training Partner Awards.The Awards were
presented to the Training Partners at the opening of the Trade Show at this
year’s National Training Institute (NTI), held at the University of Michigan in
Ann Arbor.All Platinum Award Winners
joined NJATC Executive Director, Michael Callanan, on stage for the official
ribbon-cutting, opening the Trade Show to the nearly 2000 participants in
attendance.

Training
Partner Levels are determined based on the amount of direct participation with
the NJATCthe Training Partner has
demonstrated over the past twelve months.This includes areas such as: Curriculum Development and Enhancement,
Technical Support, Webinar Presentations, Train-The-Trainer Classes, Assisting
NJATC Staff members in specialized training presentations, NTI involvement and
Trade Show participation, Serving on NJATC Advisory Committees, and
participating in the annual NJATC Training Partner Summit.To all of these very dedicated Training
Partners, the NJATC extends a very heartfelt “Thank You.”We simply could not accomplish what we do
without your involvement.

It is with great pride and appreciation that we present to you our
distinguished 2009/10 Award Winning Training Partners:

- 2009/10 NJATC Training
Partner Awards -

Platinum Level

Cooper
BussmannFluke
Corporation

Harger
Lightning & GroundingIdeal
Industries, Inc.

Klein
ToolsMilwaukee
Electric Tool

Salisbury
by HoneywellUnderwriters
Laboratories

Union
Built PC, IncWestex
Inc.

Gold Level

American
Technical Publishers, IncCoyne First Aid, Inc.

Delmar,
Cengage LearningPass
& Seymour / Legrand

Riverside
Manufacturing CoSnap-On Tools

Square
D/Schneider ElectricStout Tools

Thomas
and Betts

Silver Level

3M
CompanyAFLAC

CES
IndustriesGreenlee,
a Textron Company

MosaicPearson Learning

Stark
Safety ConsultantsSteel
Tube Institute

Werner
Ladder

Bronze Level

Aramark
CorporationBest Gloves

ITW
BuildexCHANNELLOCK,
Inc.

Grimes
Insurance & Financial ServicesHampden
Engineering Corporation

S-P ProductsScaffold
Institute

Shermco
IndustriesTyco
Electronics

About the NJATC

The
NJATC is a nonprofit organization founded in 1941 by the National Electrical
Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers (IBEW). The organization is committed to developing and standardizing
education in the electrical industry to properly and effectively train members
of NECA and the IBEW; providing the electrical construction industry with the
most highly trained and skilled workforce possible. Since its inception, more
than 350,000 apprentices have completed NJATC training programs and become
competent Journeymen, making the organization one of the largest training and
apprenticeship programs of its kind. For more information, go to www.njatc.org.

About NTI

NTI
2009 marked an important milestone, celebrating 20 years of training excellence
and what has developed into perhaps the largest apprenticeship and training
program of its kind. The NJATC was created more than 68 years ago, and its
affiliated programs have trained more than 350,000 apprentices to Journeyman
status without cost to taxpayers. Skill, knowledge and attitude are the main
focuses in all of the NJATC’s training programs that took place on the
University of Michigan campus.

NTI
is a full week of professional and technical training, comprised of in-depth
courses and seminars. The event was kicked-off by a two-day Electrical Industry
Trade Show. Educational sessions included unique offerings ranging from
Professional Educator training to Industry Best Practices and from Business
Development to hands-on laboratory learning. NTI special activities included an
Opening Ceremony, the Block Party and a Graduation Ceremony.For more information, visit http://nti.njatc.org/.

About NECA

NECA
is the voice of the $130 billion electrical construction industry that brings
power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across
the United States. NECA’s national office and 119 local chapters advance
the industry through advocacy, education, research, and standards development.
For more information, visit www.necanet.org.

About The IBEW

The
IBEW is an international labor organization that has trained the most qualified
electricians in the trade for more than 117 years. With approximately
725,000 members in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam and the
Republic of Panama, the IBEW has members in construction, utilities,
manufacturing, telecommunications, broadcasting, railroads and government. For
more information, visit www.ibew.org

*********************************

NJATC-NECA-IBEW ANNOUNCED THAT A NEW “BLENDED LEARNING” SOLUTION FOR THEIR OUTSIDE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

The
National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical
Industry (NJATC)
co-sponsored by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers (IBEW) announced today that a new “Blended Learning”
solution for their Outside Apprenticeship Program was launched on-line January
1, 2009. The blended learning solution combines a state-of-the-art Web-Based
Learning Management System (LMS) with traditional classroom related instruction
for over 4,000 registered apprentices in NJATC Outside apprenticeship programs
throughout the United States sponsored by IBEW and NECA. The LMS was developed
in partnership with Delmar Cengage Learning; Albany, New York.

Delmar
Cengage Learning delivers highly-customized learning solutions for colleges,
universities, instructors, students, libraries, government agencies,
corporations and professionals around the world. These solutions are delivered
through specialized content, applications and services that foster academic
excellence and professional development, as well as provide measurable learning
outcomes to its customers.

Delmar
Cengage Learning Vice President, Greg Clayton, stated that“(T)his
is a major milestone in our partnership to deliver the highest quality learning
solution to the Outside Line Construction industry!” NJATC Executive Director,
Michael Callanan, believes that the partnership will “provide the very best
related instruction model for training apprentices in the power, generation and
transmission field.”

Utilizing
this cutting-edge delivery system, apprentices will complete their homework
assignments on-line. A major component of the LMS is an educational tool that
assists the apprentices when they complete their homework assignments.
Instructors will be able to track and monitor the apprentices’ homework
assignments, ensuring that they will be fully prepared for their related
classroom instruction. Instructors will have the added benefit of being able to
review the entire class assignments prior to that actual classroom meeting.
This will permit instructors to customize the related instruction for the needs
of the class and the individual apprentice. The overall goal is to improve the
utilization of the classroom time and allow more time to be spent directly on
hands-on and application-based training assignments.

Both
the Department of Labor, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, predict a
significant shortage of power generation, transmission and distribution workers
in the very near future. The IBEW/NECA Outside Apprenticeship Program consists
of 7,000 hours of on-the-job learning and approximately 500 hours of related
instruction. Apprentices participating in one of the IBEW/NECA programs “earn
while they learn” as they prepare for a challenging, rewarding career in an
ever-expanding industry.

About the NJATC

The
NJATC is a nonprofit organization founded in 1941 by the National Electrical
Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers (IBEW). The organization is committed to developing and standardizing
education in the electrical industry to properly and effectively train members
of NECA and the IBEW; providing the electrical construction industry with the
most highly trained and highly skilled workforce possible. Since its inception,
more than 325,000 apprentices have completed NJATC training programs and become
competent Journeymen, making the organization one of the largest training and
apprenticeship programs of its kind. For more information, go to www.njatc.org.

About NECA

NECA
has provided over a century of service to the $130 billion electrical
construction industry that brings power, light, and communication technology to
buildings and communities across the United States. NECA’s national office
and 119 local chapters advance the industry through advocacy, education,
research, and standards development. For more information, visit www.necanet.org.

About The IBEW

The
IBEW is an international labor organization that has trained the most qualified
electricians in the trade for more than 110 years. With approximately
725,000 members in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam and the
Republic of Panama, the IBEW has members in construction, utilities,
manufacturing, telecommunications, broadcasting, railroads and government. For
more information, visit www.ibew.org

*********************************

NJATC - 1,913 NATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE PARTICIPANTS ADOPTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AND THE CITIZENS OF ANN ARBOR

Upper Marlboro, MD ─ The National Joint
Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical Industry (NJATC)
announced today that total attendance at the 2009 National Training Institute
(NTI) was a near record-setting one thousand nine hundred and thirteen
(1,913).This was the 20th
Anniversary for NTI.Several of the
registration groups set new attendance records, including the apprenticeship
committee group (C-Group), which had over three hundred in attendance for the
first time in its twenty year history.This was also the first year for the NTI to be held in Ann Arbor, at the
University of Michigan (U-M).The
citizens of Ann Arbor, the staff and students of the University, and the
Convention and Visitors Bureau wrapped their arms around the nineteen hundred
plus NTI participants to welcome them to their fair city.The spirit and mood of the warm reception was
aptly captured by NJATC Executive Director, Michael Callanan, when he
exclaimed; “Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan already feel like home to
me.”

Here’s what the participants had to say about their experiences at
the 2009 NTI:

Gary
R. Griffin, Business Manager, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
(IBEW) Local 24 - “I was so impressed with the 2009 NTI. Michigan was my first
NTI experience, as well as my first visit to Ann Arbor.I was amazed how organized and smooth
everything went.The classes, events and
tours I attended were very well organized and structured. I am planning to
clear my schedule and be in attendance for the entire program next year.I and Local 24 look forward to participating
and supporting NTI in the future. If there is anything Local 24 can do to
assist the NJATC please do not hesitate to contact me.”

Jerri
Champlin, Chapter Manager, California Central Coast Chapter, National
Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) - “Once again, NTI provided
effective, up-to-date training for our instructors and JATC committee members
who have returned invigorated and better prepared to train our workforce.Our participation in NTI has improved the
quality of our program and the ultimate beneficiaries are our contractors and
their customers.However, the institute
is not just for instructors and committee members.NECA’s Management Education Institute teamed
up with NTI this year to strengthen training for the newly formed EC
group.Electrical Contractors (EC) and
their key personnel attend classes designed to assist them in various aspects
of their business.Whether exploring a
new niche like renewable/sustainable energy, or learning ways to survive the
current economic conditions, NTI offered valuable information for our NECA
contractors.”

Pittsburgh
JATC Training Director, Bob Geider - “By far, NTI 2009 was a
knockout! From the moment I arrived in Ann Arbor I had a special feeling.The way the community, the people, and the
University of Michigan embraced our participants made me feel really welcome.
They have tremendous respect for working people and showed it by how they
treated us during our stay.I'm glad we
moved to Ann Arbor and hopefully we are there to stay.”

As
part of the “hospitality package” prepared for the NTI participants, the Ann
Arbor Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted an NTI Block Party sponsored by
the Main Street Area Association.Four
blocks of Main Street were closed for one evening, allowing local
restauranteurs to move their tables into the street for a little alfresco
dining and outdoor entertainment which included music, a car show and the
rekindling of old friendships.

In
the Spring of 2008, the NJATC and the University of Michigan jointly announced
that in 2009 the NJATC’s annual week-long National Training Institute would be
moving permanently to the University of Michigan’s main campus in Ann
Arbor.In selecting a new home for the
Institute, of major concern was commitment to, and support of, organized
labor.The University of Michigan employs
IBEW members full-time in the electrical division of its maintenance department.Additionally, the University retains the
services of NECA contractors employing IBEW members to complete all of its
electrical construction projects.At the
time of the announcement, IBEW President, Edwin D. Hill, NECA CEO, John M.
Grau, and U-M President, Mary Sue Coleman expressed their delight in entering
into this new alliance dedicated to the training and betterment of all members
of the NECA/IBEW electrical construction family.

About the NJATC

The
NJATC is a nonprofit organization founded in 1941 by the National Electrical
Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers (IBEW). The organization is committed to developing and standardizing
education in the electrical industry to properly and effectively train members
of NECA and the IBEW; providing the electrical construction industry with the
most highly trained and skilled workforce possible. Since its inception, more
than 350,000 apprentices have completed NJATC training programs and become
competent Journeymen, making the organization one of the largest training and
apprenticeship programs of its kind. For more information, go to www.njatc.org

About NTI

NTI
2009 marked an important milestone, celebrating 20 years of training excellence
and what has developed into perhaps the largest
apprenticeship and training program of its kind. The NJATC was created more
than 68 years ago, and its affiliated programs have trained more than 350,000
apprentices to Journeyman status without cost to taxpayers. Skill,
knowledge and attitude are the main focuses in all of the NJATC’s training
programs that took place on the University of Michigan campus.

NTI is a full week of professional and technical training, comprised of
in-depth courses and seminars. The event was kicked-off by a two-day Electrical
Industry Trade Show. Educational sessions included unique offerings ranging
from Professional Educator training to Industry Best Practices
and from Business Development to hands-on laboratory learning. NTI special
activities included an Opening Ceremony, the Block Party and a Graduation
Ceremony.For more information,
visit http://nti.njatc.org/.

About NECA

NECA
is the voice of the $130 billion electrical construction industry that brings
power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across
the United States. NECA’s national office and 119 local chapters advance
the industry through advocacy, education, research, and standards development.
For more information, visit www.necanet.org.

About The IBEW

The
IBEW is an international labor organization that has trained the most qualified
electricians in the trade for more than 117 years. With approximately
725,000 members in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam and the
Republic of Panama, the IBEW has members in construction, utilities,
manufacturing, telecommunications, broadcasting, railroads and government. For
more information, visit www.ibew.org

“The addition of the GR-20-CORE and GR-409-CORE to Intertek’s list of approved
FOC standards allows manufacturers of fiber optic cables and components to
shorten their time to market by consolidating testing of their entire fiber
optic / OSP product line at Intertek,” said Keith Kuhn, General Manager,
Intertek.

Intertek
is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of
industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality
assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to
customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global
marketplace.

Intertek
has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through
its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 23,000 people
in more than 100 countries around the world.

Of
the 52 separate category awards presented, only two—one distributor and one
supplier—were selected to represent this year’s overall best marketing
practices in the electrical distribution industry. Summit Electric Supply received the
“Best of the Best Overall” distributor award, and Leviton Manufacturing took the “Best
of the Best Overall” supplier award.

In
the Distributors Over $200 Million category, Summit Electric received two “Best
of the Best” awards for its entries in the Direct Promotion & Website
categories. In the Manufacturer Over $250 Million category, Leviton
Manufacturing received four category awards for its entries in the Literature
& Selling Tools, Product Launch, & Public Relations categories.Find the
complete list of winners, event photos, and August issue print coverage under
the Best of the Best tab at the new TedMag.com
site.

Washington, D.C. – The
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leader in advocacy,
standards development, business development and intelligence for the
information and communications technology (ICT) industry, has submitted
comments in response to the Federal Communication Commission's Public Notice
seeking comments on the definition of "Broadband."

"We suggest that the Commission not limit itself to one
narrow and arbitrary definition of broadband," said TIA Vice President of
Government Affairs Danielle Coffey. "Since many technologies play a
critical role in the broadband market, TIA supports a tiered speed analysis,
which recognizes the diverse uses and benefits of broadband and
broadband-enabled products and services and would allow the Commission to take
into account current and future technologies."

The request for comments on the definition of broadband is
designed to assist the Commission in development of a National Broadband Plan
pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and
related purposes. TIA's efforts to define the term are aligned with the
Commission's efforts to incorporate the use of broadband infrastructure and
services in advancing a broad array of public interest goals, including
consumer welfare, civic participation, public safety and homeland security,
community development, health care delivery, energy independence and
efficiency, education, worker training, private sector investment,
entrepreneurial activity, job creation and economic growth, and other national
purposes.

"Because broadband speeds may vary depending on many factors,
we suggest that the Commission focus on the demand or requirements of a given
application and craft tiers in a manner that allows for the use of all
technologies to achieve various policy goals," said Coffey. TIA also
asserts that any definition of broadband must include two-way transmission
capability. But the quality of a consumer's experience is not only determined
by speed. Latency, or the time it takes for a packet of data to get from point
to point, also may affect the end-user experience, since different applications
vary in latency requirements."

TIA also continues to advocate that a "minimum"
broadband speed should consider the varying attributes of wireless versus
wireline technologies, each of which have their own distinct benefits, thus
rendering inappropriate a speed comparison of the two without taking into
consideration many other factors. In its letter, TIA urged the Commission to
balance the benefits of driving an infrastructure designed for both current and
future needs with the ability of the nation to cost-effectively provide the
technologies. The association recommended that any definition of broadband be
crafted around recognition of tiers of service, capabilities and offerings,
with an explicit reference to two-way transmission capability.

The
biggest opportunity for greening buildings is with our existing building stock.
There are a tremendous number of existing buildings, tens of millions, a far
greater number than what is being designed and constructed in any given
year. Additionally, the majority of this existing building stock was
designed and constructed decades ago, at a time when energy use, water
consumption and indoor environmental quality were neither priorities nor major
considerations. As stated, most of our built environment was designed and
constructed without the cost of energy or the long term operating expenses
factored in to balance first cost decisions relating to energy consuming
equipment. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)'s latest
report actually indicates that the number one opportunity to reduce CO2
emissions through reductions in energy consumption and therefore mitigate
global warming comes from existing buildings as well. Because of all of
this, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) offers a rating system dedicated
entirely to the existing building market, LEED for Existing Building,
Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EB O&M) which promotes high performance,
affordable, sustainable and environmentally sound operations in existing
buildings.. LEED-EB O&M is unique from all other rating systems in
that it deals primarily with operations, maintenance, policies and procedures
where all other rating systems deal with the design and construction of new or
renovated structures.

As
in LEED-EB O&M, the federal government now recognizes the opportunity to
lower energy consumption in buildings by including block grants worth $3.2
billion in the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed earlier this
year for "energy efficiency projects" for state, local and tribal
governments. While many of these entities are still figuring out what to
do with this funding, many others are hitting the ground running with very specific
programs to lower utility bills in publically owned buildings. These
initiatives are a good example for what everyone should be doing at a minimum
in facilities in all parts of our country and around the world.

Though
developed in United States, LEED standards are being adopted at a rapid rate
outside of America's borders.

The U.S. Green Building Council announced on Tuesday (Aug. 11) that
international projects now comprise 27 percent of all square footage registered
for LEED qualification. The number of registered projects outside the United
States went from only eight in 2004 (compared to 380 within the United States
the same year) to 1,120 in 2008. As of July 5 of this year, there were already
an additional 835 projects registered for LEED certification.

This
growth can partly be credited to multinational corporations that have gained an
interest in LEED through domestic projects, which they then decided to extend
outside the United States.

There
are currently LEED projects in 114 of the world's 195 nations. Forty-three LEED
projects are currently underway in the countries of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and
Finland.

First
developed in 2000 with only the American market in mind, this global expansion
of the LEED brand has occurred with little formal marketing from the U.S. Green
Building Council.

"We
haven't really spent any money in international markets yet," said Tim
McEnery, vice president of international for the U.S. Green Building Council.
"This penetration has really gone on absent the organization putting
together a concerted strategy. But not only is the presence of LEED projects
spectacular, the brand awareness and the perception of the brand in these
markets is that it's a global rating system."

The
building is intended to draw attention from around the world -- to take a
contaminated site and make it one of the greenest in the world, promoting and
exploring things like air quality.

"It
shows what can be done, we talk about these things in Washington, but you have
to go see them, because when you see them you realize even more than you talk
about it in Washington that people are making a difference," Browner says.

Just
about every piece of the COE building is energy efficient, including all the
windows they put up there, and the actual exterior of the building which will
be finished in September.

"More
importantly, what they didn't do is, they didn't do a lot of what buildings do,
called eco-bling -- they just stick a wind turbine on or PV panels and they say
look at us, we're green," says Rick Fedrizzi of the US Green Building
Council.

The
building itself has over a dozen sustainable features; Browner says the breadth
of collaboration will also make this a place fully capable of attracting
worldwide attention.

Former
Vice President Al Gore will keynote the 2009 Greenbuild green building
conference, the event's organizer, the U.S. Green Building Council, said
Wednesday.

Gore,
who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for his activism in raising awareness of
global warming, will speak at Chase Field in Phoenix on Nov. 11, the opening
night of the conference. Nearly 30,000 people attended Greenbuild last year.

In
a statement, Rick Fedrizzi, president and CEO of USGBC, said Gore has
"helped elevate global climate change to the main street public
consciousness."

"Vice
President Gore's keynote address will be an inspiration to the Greenbuild
community to make 2010 yet another banner year for green building innovation
and growth."

Gore
has been one of the world's most vocal environmental crusaders since narrowly
losing the 2000 presidential election. His book on climate change, "An
Inconvenient Truth", and his documentary film of the same name were
released in 2006, earning a Quill Book Award and two Oscars, respectively.

The
U.S. Green Building Council has announced the creation of the LEED for Homes
affiliate program, which will help promote green home building programs across
the country

Today,
the U.S. Green Building Council has announced the creation of the LEED for
Homes affiliate program. The USGBC will partner with green home building
programs across the country to promote residential green building practices.
With residential buildings accounting for approximately 20% of the overall
national energy usage, there is room for a significant reduction in overall
energy use by building more green homes.

"This is an important step forward as we advocate for full marketplace
adoption of green home building. One of the greatest benefits of the LEED green
home certification program is its continual progress and flexibility,"
said Nate Kredich, Vice President, Residential Market Development, USGBC.
"Through the LEED for Homes Affiliate Program, green residential programs
can partner with us to further promote green homes." Source: USGBC (PDF)

Although the affiliate program was just announced today, it already has two
members: the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas and Minnesota
GreenStar.

*********************************

USGBC TACKLES BUILDING PERFORMANCE HEAD ON

New initiative for comprehensive data collection and analysis methodology
development will be shared with LEED building owners and project teams to help
close performance prediction gaps

(WASHINGTON, DC Aug 25,
2009) –
The U.S. Green Building Council today stepped up its commitment to improved
building performance with the launch of the Building Performance Initiative,
designed to put in place a comprehensive data collection effort from all
buildings that have achieved LEED certification; implement an appropriate
analysis methodology of that data; and provide feedback to building owners so
they have better information with which to address any performance gaps that
stem from predicted building performance versus actual performance.

This initiative complements the announcement earlier this year that will
require ongoing performance data from buildings as part of their certification
under the latest version of LEED and beyond.

“This initiative is about gathering knowledge about building performance in a
way no one has ever done before,” said USGBC LEED Senior Vice President, Scot
Horst. “The information that we collect from our certified projects is a
workable, holistic approach for achieving better performing buildings.”

Horst noted that the LEED green building program was created to transform the
way buildings traditionally have been designed and constructed with the goal of
reducing the building’s impact on the environment by being more energy, water
and resource efficient, but a building’s day-to-day operation has a dramatic
impact on its performance. Without better information, an owner or
facility manager won’t know where the gaps are and be able to act on them.

Numerous things affect the ability of a building to deliver high performance,
including energy modeling tools, properly timed energy models, quality building
commissioning, proper goal setting/benchmarking, and coordination between
design and operation. The biggest issue by far is how the people use the
building day to day: Do they forget to turn out the lights when they
leave the room? Leave the water running in the sink? Do the
facility managers have protocols for checking automatic controls? Do they
know when those controls are malfunctioning?

“Plenty of people are content to simply point to these longstanding issues
without offering a constructive way to address them. We’re going to take
them on and engage practitioners and thought leaders alike in establishing a
national roadmap to optimize building performance,” continued Horst.

That engagement mechanism is four Building Performance Initiative summits to be
held across the U.S. this September and October. Participants will have a
chance to preview USGBC’s data collection agenda and proposed analysis
methodology and provide other feedback.

“The local summits are a way to gather people’s input for our vision and also
for them to share their performance stories, successes and challenges,” said
Horst.

The inputs from these meetings will be reported on at the First Annual Building
Performance Summit at Greenbuild, Nov. 11-13, 2009 in Phoenix. An
important part of the Building Performance Initiative includes collecting data
from thousands of LEED-certified project; USGBC will be working with highly
experienced real estate research organizations, including Kingsley and
Associates, in this effort.

“Establishing the importance of the connection between the landlord and tenant;
the designer and operator; and the owner and the occupant will be one outcome
of this initiative,” said Horst. “Everyone has a contribution to make to
how the building ultimately performs. With the right kind of information,
it will be much easier to see what areas are really driving performance and
what areas need to be addressed. The Building Performance Initiative is a
great step in that direction.”

U.S. Green Building Council

The
Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous
and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving
green buildings.

With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member
companies and organizations, and more than 131,000 LEED Accredited
Professionals, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to
soar to $60 billion by 2010. The USGBC leads an unlikely diverse
constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit
organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and
students.

Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of
energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green
building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity.
Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and
a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5
million American jobs.

LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is
the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green
buildings. 35,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED system,
comprising over 7.1 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states
and 91 countries.
By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families,
businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a
healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

USGBC was co-founded by current President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, who spent 25
years as a Fortune 500 executive. Under his 15-year leadership, the
organization has become the preeminent green building, membership, policy,
standards, education and research organization in the nation.
For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.

As
a result of its CIC
deployment in April of this year, WRB has increased agent productivity and
improved customer service, according to the company’s director of technical
services, Steve Hairston.

“Our
previous call
center system had outdated functionality and we knew we needed to
transition to VoIP to cost-effectively grow our company,” Hairston said. “When
looking at other systems it became clear that Interactive Intelligence offered
the best architecture for ease-of-management, while giving us the functionality
and flexibility we needed to support both in-office and at-home agents.”

Today,
WRB Communications uses CIC’s skills-based routing to ensure callers are
matched with the most qualified agents for their particular needs.

“Based
on the various skills of our agents, CIC
has enabled us to match them to callers for improved customer service,”
Hairston said. “This has also increased agent productivity since callers are
more quickly connected, regardless of where our agents are located.”

WRB
also uses CIC’s add-on application, Interaction
Recorder®, to monitor and report on calls for quality
assurance and training purposes.

“Interaction
Recorder® has enabled us to easily measure the effectiveness of
our agents,” Hairston said. “Since deploying it, we’ve been able to increase
agent effectiveness while decreasing agent talk-time.”

In
addition, the transition to CIC
was one of the easiest WRB has ever experienced, according to the company’s
vice president of operations, Mark Hewitt.

“The
accessibility and expertise of Interactive Intelligence resulted in an
incredibly smooth deployment without any disruption to business,” Hewitt said.
“By getting CIC up and running quickly, we’ve been able to realize a faster
return on investment.”

WRB
also plans to use CIC’s multichannel routing feature to further increase
efficiencies.

Interactive Intelligence Inc. (Nasdaq: ININ) is a global
provider of unified business communications solutions for contact center
automation, enterprise IP telephony, and business process automation. The
company was founded in 1994 and has approximately 3,000 customers worldwide.
Interactive Intelligence is among Software Magazine’s top 500 global software
and services suppliers, is ranked among Network World’s top 200 North American
networking vendors, is a BusinessWeek “hot growth 50” company, and is among
Fortune Small Business magazine’s top 100 fastest growing companies. The
company is also positioned in the leaders’ quadrant of the Gartner 2008 Contact
Center Infrastructure, Worldwide Magic Quadrant report. Interactive
Intelligence employs more than 600 people and is headquartered in Indianapolis,
Indiana. It has six global corporate offices with additional sales offices
throughout North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.
Interactive Intelligence can be reached at +1 317.872.3000 or info@inin.com; on
the Net: www.inin.com

*********************************

SIEMON’S NEW XLR8™ FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR AND TOOL KIT CUTS FIELD TERMINATION TIME IN HALF

August 12, 2009, Watertown,
CT.Siemon is proud to introduce its new XLR8
mechanical splice connector and termination system for fiber optic cabling. The
XLR8 system incorporates an exclusive dual-process activation tool which
dramatically reduces termination time per connector.The combination of the XLR8 tool and Siemon's
new pre-polished XLR8 mechanical splice LC and SC connectors drives the
deployment of high-performance fiber links with unsurpassed termination speed
and quality.

To
maximize termination speed and connector performance, Siemon’s XLR8 system was
designed from the ground up to reduce the termination process to a single
optimized and intuitive step.The
process combines splicing and crimping into a single step as opposed to more
common multi-step products.The
simplified XLR8 design cuts termination times in halfcompared to competing systems, enabling
faster and more efficient delivery of fiber cabling links.The reduction in steps also limits excess
operator handling of connections during termination that can negatively impact
splice integrity and link performance.

To
further enhance connector performance, the entire XLR8 termination process is
completed with the connector dust-cap in place, protecting the fiber’s critical
end-face polish from contamination or damage.No other fiber termination method currently available offers this
simple, yet highly effective feature.The connector‘s pre-polished end-face remains untouched and clean from
the factory to the time of insertion into the adapter. This optimizes both
reliability and mated performance.

The
XLR8 tool is universal - capable of terminating either SC or LC interfaces with
no time-consuming tooling changeovers required.Ergonomically optimized for use in handheld or table-top orientation, it
ensures full splice and crimp engagement using a locking mechanism that secures
the connector in place until the tool is fully cycled.The tool is available in a complete kit that
contains all accessories required for high performance terminations, including
a user-friendly fiber cleaver designed to provide clean, precision cleaves on
an array of fiber types.

Established in 1903, Siemon is an industry leader specializing
in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network
cabling solutions. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, with global offices,
manufacturing and service partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most
comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) category 5e,
category 6 (Class E), category 6A (Class EA) and category 7/7A (Class F/FA), and multimode and singlemode
optical fiber cabling systems available. With over 400 active patents specific to
structured cabling, from patch cords to patch panels, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development
of industry standards, underlining the company's long-term commitment to its
customers and the industry.

*********************************

ASIS – SEPTEMBER 21-24 ANAHEIM, CA

You should visit CSC at the Security
Industry's Most Influential Event! ASIS – September 21-24 Anaheim, CA

You have only so many waking hours to
focus on the security challenges facing your organization. That's why security
professionals like you have come to rely on ASIS as their all-in-one
destination for the innovations, information, and connections they need to
provide the best security possible—the kind of solutions that will help YOU
sleep better at night.

ASIS 2009 delivers the tools and
insights you need for security 24/7.

Focusing on:
- See next-generation security technologies and services, and talk directly to
the experts.
- Gain new insights and hone your skills through the comprehensive,
industry-leading education program.
- Connect with colleagues from around the globe, share new ideas, and build
your professional network.

Join the global community of your
peers—more than 22,000 of them—in Anaheim,
California, for the
industry-leading event of the year where Security Never Sleeps.

WHY CSC? IT'S SIMPLE.
OUR PEOPLE, PASSION AND EXPERTISE.

That's why customers choose
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- when their jobs are on the line - we'll be there with the answers they need.
They view us as their trusted advisor who can help them make the transition
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